Mark Eaton will be stepping down as our first team manager after this Saturday’s game against Wembley to accept a new role off the field as Director of Football.

The club is pleased to announce the appointment of ex Wycombe Wanderers player and Thame United Manager Mark West as the new manager, Stuart Blaik will assist Mark. Their first game in charge will be against Hilltop at home next Tuesday. Mark built an excellent team at Thame who were well established at step 4. We wish Mark and Stuart every success at Risborough. A further statement will follow from Mark on his appointment.

Mark Eaton has been more than just our first team manager, his drive and determination on and off the field lifted the club to heights we could only have dreamed of. Two promotions a Cup Final Win and the longest unbeaten run in English football history 53-games which broke Arsenal’s record putting Rangers firmly on the map. We have enjoyed some amazing games plenty of highs and the occasional low.

The club is about to go through an exciting restructure with lots of plans in place to build an infrastructure for sustained success and Mark will be pivotal in helping the club create an organisational structure off the field to support all our teams on it.

Richard Woodward (Chairman) commented:
We cannot thank Mark enough for what he has achieved for Risborough in the last 5 years. From the moment he walked through the door we have all been carried along on a whirlwind of positivity, belief, and drive on and off the field. Although it is going to be a big change not having him leading the first team, I am delighted he is staying with the club, I trust his judgement and know that the first team is in good hands with the appointment of Mark and Stuart.

Mark Eaton commented:
Being First Team Manager at Risborough has been an absolute privilege, the last 5 years have been an amazing journey to see the club grow from where it was to the Risborough Rangers we have now. You can’t be a successful team on the pitch without a great team off it, the unwavering support and selfless dedication of Richard and everyone at the club, our sponsors, and the supporters we have gained along the way gave me a platform to build some incredible teams and in turn I like to think our players gave back some amazing memories. There are too many great players to mention all by name and some have been with me for the whole duration, to all of you I thank you from the bottom of my heart and will cherish the memories of just what incredible dressing rooms and characters we’ve had. I've also gained friendships which will last a lifetime.

This has not been an easy decision I have been in football management for 18 years and love being Manager at Risborough but after careful thought and taking many things into consideration, it’s the right one for me and more importantly for the club.
This season has not gone to plan for several reasons that do not need to be shared, I work at a very intensive pace, and I knew that we had some work to do to improve the squad and this along with the other areas of the club that require my attention, I have simply run out of energy to do this. I had already informed the club that I was planning to step down from managing the first team at the end of the season, the opportunity of being able to vastly improve the playing squad this season by getting Mark and Stuart in now was an opportunity to good to miss. By starting now, it gives them a fantastic opportunity to start building for next season. I am excited to see them take the team forward and I am very confident they will do a great job.

The club has ambitious plans and is about to embark on real transformation in its structure and set up to give us the best base for sustained success both now and in the future. I am delighted to be able to stay on and help make this happen as well as supporting Mark and Stuart in any way I can.

Of course, I would have liked to have ended with a trophy or promotion, but life doesn’t always give you a fairy tale, but I can be immensely proud of what has been achieved from where we started. Nothing stays the same forever; things must evolve and grow It has been a hell of a ride I now look forward to the next chapter in the Risborough Rangers history.

It has been emotional.

Up the Ris
Mark