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Rowntree and Andy Dunn had been looking after the side supported by Neil Taylor who had been brought in as caretaker coach to aid the pair since former manager Dave Fleary stepped up to the vacant role of first team coach two weeks ago.

The move has been made permanent this week with the club confirming that Rowntree had agreed to take up the helm. Andy Dunn will move up from reserve team coach to assistant manager whilst Taylor's caretaker role as coach has also been made permanent.

Both Rowntree and Dunn are looking to continue playing so the role of Neil Taylor will be an important one as he will support the pair from the dugout.

On his appointment Rowntree said: "We are all very much looking forward to the challenge of running the reserve side at Gresley.

"The gaffer wants all the sides at the club to have close links with each other and in that respect we hope to provide some continuity from the "A" and youth teams through to the reserves and first team if possible.

"He has expressed his wish that our side adopts a similar system of play to that of the first team so that when lads do make it through the transition is a smooth one."

He added: "We have some good young lads starting to come through the club's teams and into the reserve side and our task will be to try and provide possible prospects for the first team in the near future.

"Both Andy and I playing will be a challenge and we will see how that goes but for now we have a good coach in Neil who will support us from the dugout.

"Our ultimate aim is to fill the squad with good young talent for the future. Dave Fleary has done much of the ground work over the last couple of seasons and now Andy, Neil and I are looking to build on that."