FORMER Chester manager Neil Young has vowed to stay on as boss at Merseyside non leaguers Marine despite their shock relegation from the NPL Premier Division.

The Crosby-based outfit suffered the first relegation in the club's 125 year history when a 2-0 defeat at Farsley Celtic on the final day of the season condemned the Mariners to life in Division One West alongside the likes of Widnes, Prescot Cables and Runcorn Linnets.

But despite the setback, officials at Marine moved quickly to confirm Young would stay with the club having been given the objective of achieving promotion at the first opportunity along with his coaching, medical and support staff.

The 44-year-old took the reins at Chester in 2010 following the club's reformation and guided the Blues to three successive championships, winning the Evo-Stik First Division North, Evo-Stik Northern Premier and Conference North.

He left the club at the beginning of 2014 after a poor set of results in the club's first season in the National League, but on manage Altrincham and Stockport County, as well as a spell in temporary charge of FC Halifax Town.

Young returned to the Swansway Chester Stadium in an advisory role in 2018 on a voluntary basis, but left it less than a month later after it was announced Marcus Bignot would leave at the end of the season.

Marine chairman Paul Leary said: “We are all devastated by what happened on Saturday especially as we approach our 125th anniversary. However when we appointed Neil last September he was by far the most experienced and successful applicant of many and we believe that he is the person to take us back to where we want to be and beyond.

"Neil has accepted the single objective of securing promotion from Division One next season and will have the benefit this time of having the summer and the pre-season build up to properly plan, prepare and recruit for a successful campaign ahead.

“It is no good dwelling on what happened. We have to get on with it, be positive and work hard to achieve the success we demand in our 125th season.

"I understand our fans’ frustrations and disappointments and invite them to an open evening with Marine officials, Neil and his staff to talk about our club’s objectives for the seasons ahead and any other matters relating to our football club.

"The open forum is to take place on Friday 10th May starting at 8pm in the Graham Lounge. This will be the first of a number of forums to take place in the future.”

Young added: “We must quickly ensure that we are fully prepared to push for promotion.

"There can be no excuses. The team and squad that start the season will be my team and a lot of work will be put in to make us more professional on and off the field, to build on the changes we have already made.

"I have been promoted from this level three times with three different clubs and I will use that experience to take us forward.

"I’ll look forward to the open forum and as always I will answer questions as openly and honestly as I can.”