THE planned Eccleshill United restructure did not materialise after Dave Cope chose not to step into the role of general manager.

Former Bantams winger Mark Ellis, the club's director of football, remains in place and the replacement for departed coach Lee Duxbury has taken up his role.

But the 'extra tier' that the Eagles wanted to introduce is on hold – for now.

Eccleshill chairman of football Adrian Benson said: "Dave is still very much a part of the club but he decided not to take the role he was offered.

"Dave wishes to concentrate his efforts on the excellent junior section that he helped develop and runs so well. That has been very successful and will continue to be."

When the club lost the services of former Oldham Athletic and Bradford City midfielder Duxbury, they needed to install a new first-team coach. Benson and Ellis considered a total restructure of the management set-up.

Benson said: "There are no immediate plans to fill the role that Dave hasn't taken up and we wish him well in his continued efforts. He is still very much involved with the club.

"Mark Tinker is the first-team coach and Martin Devanny his assistant and a player, so we will leave it at that for now.

"We think they are the best men for the job, even though it has been a difficult start to the season.

"It is hard to get players in but we have got (City legend) John Hendrie's son Jordan playing the odd game for us.

"It's also impossible to replace a lad like Marcus Edwards, who not only got all those goals for us last season but is a larger than life character.

"Marcus has moved up the football pyramid, which is something we encourage all of our players to aspire to, but it means every new season is a big challenge.

"We are ready to take that challenge on again."