Crook Town want to attract the fans back to the Millfield, says their new manager Gary Anderson.

Crook had a season to forget last time round, being relegated from the first division well before the end of the season, and during the summer their chairman left so Vince Kirkup took over.

“I was there last season when Peter Mulcaster was manager, and when Peter left, Vince asked me to stay on and rebuild. I was more than happy to do that, because I get on quite well with Vince.

“A lot of players left during the summer, but I’ve got quite a few new players in already, lads that I’ve known from my days at Tow Law or played with during my career already.”

Anderson was manager of Tow Law until midway through last season, so he knows how tough life can be in the second division.

“It’s a matter now of rebuilding the team and steadying the ship over the next few years. We’re aiming to finish midtable this year, and try and progress after that. Long term, our aim is to get back into the first division.

“We also want to attract the fans back to the Millfield. Crowds more than halved last season, but there’s lots of interest now around the town. We’re going in the right direction.”