Radcliffe appoint Grant Shenton from Avro on two-year deal

The dugout was the busiest place in the non-league game over the past two days, with Radcliffe the most prominent of the clubs making a change. They have appointed Grant Shenton as first-team manager on a two-year contract, joining from Avro, with Mark Dickinson arriving as assistant. Shenton's first match is against Scarborough Athletic next weekend, and the club has released his first interview, in which he describes Radcliffe as the perfect next step. Nicky Adams will leave the coaching staff. Avro, meanwhile, have seen Nick Simister, Andy Pheby and Dean Brathwaite depart, and Alex Frost and Deane Smalley agreed to take charge for the first ever visit of Lancaster City to the Vestacare Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Elsewhere, Stalybridge Celtic have parted company with first-team manager Jon Macken. Leighton Town said Paul Reed has stepped down after two years; Head of Football Guy Kefford, with coach Paul Bonham and youth development head Enzo Silvestri, will take charge for the Bedfordshire Senior Cup tie against Barton Rovers on a short-term basis. Chris Milly left Dronfield Town after ten years, given a guard of honour after victory in his final game in front of 506 spectators at Stonelow.

Some new managers began with wins. Craig Denton won his first game at Sheffield, Ricky Ravenhill and Martin Woods won both of their first two in charge at Grimsby Borough, and Peter Hartley and Ryan Cresswell won their first at Spennymoor Town. Dawley Town added Connor Patterson as joint manager alongside Whitey.

On the playing side, the headline move saw striker Owen Dean leave Farnham Town for Yeovil Town for an undisclosed fee after a release clause was met; Farnham retain a sell-on clause.

Among the signings, Sheffield brought in Leon Howarth from Hallam, and he scored on his debut. Dawley Town added Andy Wycherley, Jack Hodnett and Cian Fenlon. Chasetown signed Oli Finney and Ben O'Hanlon from Shifnal Town, and Bamber Bridge took Temi Ajibola from Flint Town and Andrew Teague, who has come out of retirement. Canvey Island signed Josh Curry permanently from Needham Market and took Ben Coker on a one-month loan from Chatham Town. Truro City have Zyan Blake on loan from Nottingham Forest.

Loans from league clubs featured too: Anstey Nomads have Elliot Hartmann from Mansfield Town and Harley Price from Derby County, while Sittingbourne took Max Rope and George Rees from Bromley. Reading City brought Sam Tanner back from Hungerford Town, who also gave 16-year-old Arthur Thatcher first-team forms.