ATHERTON LR have announced their third manager in less than a month after Mike Lester took over the hotseat at Crilly Park.

Following the shock departure of Andy Nelson and Stuart Humfreys to Leigh RMI, Rovers have appointed former Manchester City and Oldham star Lester as their new manager.

Lester has had previous coaching experience with Trafford and Runcorn, and was interviewed for the job when Ian Street and Tom Foster left the club at the end of last season.

Atherton Colls have, as expected, avoided relegation to North West Counties Two after the league accepted the application of Manchester United splinter club FC United.

Colls will resume next season in the top flight under the stewardship of Alan Lord.