Former Lincoln City striker Leon Mettam has been replaced as Corby Town manager by Graham Drury, who returns to the club just four days after being sacked by Peterborough Sports.
Mettam and assistant Danny Brooks departed following a 2-0 defeat at Grantham Town, with Corby confirming an agreement had been reached to release both men from their contracts. Those deals had only been signed in August, following a takeover on the eve of the campaign.
However, one win, two draws and five defeats from their opening eight league matches left Corby in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division relegation zone. Early exits from both the FA Cup and FA Trophy added to the disappointment, prompting the club to make a change.
Mettam came through the ranks at Sincil Bank and made six senior appearances for the Imps, scoring once, before building a lengthy career in non-league football. His subsequent clubs included Stamford, Corby, Gainsborough Trinity and Worksop Town, making him a familiar figure well beyond his brief spell in our first team.
Despite the disappointing results, Corby thanked Mettam and Brooks for their work, particularly during the difficult period before the ownership change. First-team coach Paul Holden initially took interim charge and will now work as Drury’s assistant.
For Drury, the appointment continues a remarkable few months following a decade in charge at Stamford. He left the Daniels for Matlock Town at the end of last season, requested his release within two weeks and then took over at Peterborough Sports, where his tenure lasted just ten games.
Sports dismissed him on Sunday after a 3-1 FA Cup second qualifying round defeat at AFC Rushden & Diamonds. By Thursday, he had secured a return to a club where he previously delivered considerable success.
Drury led Corby to the Southern League Premier Division title in 2009 and followed that with a sixth-place finish in Conference North, the highest league placing in their history. His CV also includes a spell at Boston United and two promotions from Step 4 to Step 3 with Stamford.
Corby are hoping that experience can help turn their fortunes around, with the club outlining an ambition to achieve three promotions in five years. Holden brings an established working relationship with Drury, having worked alongside him at Corby, Stamford and Boston.
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