RUTHIN Town manager Chris Williams has stepped down from the role just one game into the new JD Cymru North season.

The club announced the news via social media platform Twitter on Sunday evening, ended a hugely successful spell at the helm for the popular figure.

Williams, who enjoyed a prolific playing career at the likes of Bala Town and Llandyrnog United before taking over in September 2016, rose the club from a competitive Welsh National League side to an established force within the second tier, which included a superb seventh place finish last term.

He has done this on a shoestring budget and developed talented players from across the region, with the likes of league top goalscorer Llyr Morris, Tom Dyer, Garmon Hafal and Ryan Goldston enhancing their reputations under Williams’ guidance.

The departing boss will remain at the club in a playing capacity under Chris Hardy, who has been appointed first team manager on a caretaker basis.

A club statement, read: “Ruthin Town FC are indebted to Chris who has been at helm for three years during which time the club’s fortunes have been transformed.

“In his first season Chris steered the club to safety and helped consolidate our position in the Cymru Alliance, his second season saw us finish in a respectable 11th position and also win the NEWFA cup.

“Last season saw us finish in an excellent seventh position in an extremely competitive league.

“Chris is going to be staying with the club in a playing capacity and his current assistant, Chris Hardy, will be stepping up as caretaker manager.”