STUART Wellstead and David Mannix have joined Dave McNabb's coaching team at Rylands FC.

For Wellstead, who has also confirmed his retirement as a player, it is a return to the club he helped achieve promotion to the North West Counties Premier Division in 2018-19 as player/co manager.

Fellow 34-year-old Mannix also arrives with experience, having had spells as assistant manager at Clitheroe and Bangor City.

Both have previously played for Warrington Town, Mannix is a director in Liverpool-based Platinum Football Academy while Wellstead is a water services manager.

Since exiting Rylands, where Wellstead started his coaching badges, he has played for Wythenshawe Town, Congleton and most recently last season's runaway leaders 1874 Northwich, where he helped with coaching and learned from highly regarded joint managers Wayne Goodwin and Paul Bowyer.

Wellstead said: "Delighted to be back at the club and with that a heavy heart in having to call time on my playing career.

"Thanks to everyone that I’ve played with and for over the years. I’ve had a rollercoaster of emotions playing in the counties for the last 17 years but it’s been epic."

He had a notable spell with Runcorn Linnets, winning the North West Counties Premier Division in the 2017-2018 season.

Mannix is a Liverpool FC Academy product who was part of the squad that won the UEFA Champions League in 2005.

He represented England at youth level 15 times but a number of serious injuries hampered his progress.

Mannix had spells at Accrington Stanley, Chester City and Norwegian outfit HamKam before moving into non-league with Vauxhall Motors, Colwyn Bay and Warrington Town. He was in the Yellows side that reached the FA Cup second round in 2014-15, assisting the winning goal to knock out League Two Exeter City en route.

Mannix is a UEFA A licence coach.