IAN McGarry today returned to non-league football and vowed to "put the 'Great' back in Great Harwood".

The ex-Darwen boss has taken over the UniBond side from Mick Crabbe who will remain as McGarry's number two.

Work commitments forced defender Crabbe to step down from his player-manager role.

Chairman Bill Holden informed the directors last night and they agreed to offer the post to McGarry who accepted today.

"Ian McGarry was the man we wanted and we're very happy he's taken the job," said Mr Holden.

"He's an experienced figure in non-league football and he has the qualifications.

"In fact, he probably has as many contacts in non-league as anybody and I hope they'll be put to use.

"The objective, as always at Great Harwood, is to sustain UniBond League football.

"We have no aspirations to play in the Vauxhall Conference. "We're a small friendly club and that's the way we're run."

McGarry started his non-league playing career as a 15-year-old with Great Harwood.

He resigned as Darwen boss in the close season - after 10 years at the helm - when the club just avoided relegation from North West Counties' League Division One.

But he is now looking forward to a fresh challenge.

"I'm refreshed, I know the people at Great Harwood and I know most of the players," he said.

"In fact, many of them have played for me at some time or other.

"There is only two or three jobs I would have taken and this is certainly one of them.

"I'm not going to make drastic changes and I'm glad that Mick Crabbe has agreed to stay on as number two.

"It will take time to assess what we've got but I'm very much looking forward to it."

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