A NEW chapter at Curzon Ashton Football Club got under way with a hard-fought draw in Norfolk, as player-manager Adam Barton oversaw his first game in charge.
The Nash held King’s Lynn Town to a goalless stalemate at the Docherty Walks Stadium, marking the start of a new managerial era following a turbulent week off the pitch.
Barton’s appointment was confirmed after the club parted company with Mark Bradshaw in the wake of a 4-1 defeat to Spennymoor Town on Tuesday night – a result that made it five losses in six games and ultimately proved the tipping point.
Despite the upheaval, Barton praised his players for their professionalism after a demanding few days, as Curzon showed resilience to come away with a point from a long trip.
The 34-year-old, who joined the club from Farsley Celtic in 2021, has made more than 200 appearances for the Tameside outfit. His playing career has included spells across the English Football League (EFL), National League and Scotland with clubs such as Preston North End, Coventry City, Partick Thistle and Wrexham.
Joining him in the dugout is defender Jordan Richards, who steps up as assistant manager while continuing his role on the pitch. Like Barton, Richards has also passed the 200-appearance mark since arriving from Farsley Celtic.
The duo will be supported by the existing coaching staff, including goalkeeping coach Kieran Bentley and first-team coaches Jack Salkeld and Rory Shadbolt, as they look to steady the club during the final weeks of the season.
Chairman Jim Newall, who himself has only just taken up the role, backed the internal appointments and called for patience as the new management team settles in.
“We are delighted to promote Adam and Jordan to the positions of manager and assistant manager,” Curzon Ashton chairman Jim Newall told the club’s website.
“Both men have given so much to the club as players and we, as a board, believe they are more than capable of stepping up into management and driving us forward. We have seen in previous seasons how promoting from within can bring great success and we hope with this appointment the club can continue to progress.
“We recognise that this season hasn’t gone as well as we would have hoped and we want to give Adam and Jordan adequate time to put their stamp on the team and prepare for next season.”
Bradshaw, who took charge in June 2025 following Craig Mahon’s departure to AFC Fylde, left after a difficult campaign which has seen Curzon slide down the National League North table.
Newall added: “On behalf of the board, we also want to say a huge thank you to our previous head coach Mark Bradshaw on his long-time service to the club.
“Mark has given everything in his roles as coach, assistant manager and manager, and we wish him well for the future.”
The point at King’s Lynn leaves Curzon 16th in the table, nine points clear of the relegation zone with six games remaining.
Attention now turns to Saturday (March 28), when Barton will take charge at the Tameside Stadium for the first time, with 10th-placed Chester the visitors.