Chris Nunn has been gaining non-league headlines in the opening stages of the season after guiding Kempston Rovers to a solid start in Southern League Central Division One, against all expectations.
Despite Rovers falling to 11th in the table after three consecutive league defeats, this has not perturbed Rushden and Diamonds of the division above to appoint Nunn as their new manager this afternoon.
Rushden and Diamonds are currently bottom of Southern League Premier Central after a tumultuous year so far.
Richard Maxwell was sacked at the end of November, two days after a new board had been installed, but Nunn has been appointed and charged with the task of reviving their season.
This step up is the latest in the rise of Chris Nunn, who had been touted by some to take over the reins at Bedford Town, who are still completing their search for a new manager after sacking Gary Setchell.
Read: Bedford Town part company with manager Gary Setchell
“He made us a competitive club again”
On his new position, Nunn commented, “I’m delighted to be here. I was enjoying it at Kempston, there are some really good people involved there, but in speaking to the new Board at Rushden, I really like them and felt their positivity.”
He leaves behind a reinvigorated Kempston Rovers side, who have been languishing in relegation dogfights in recent seasons in Southern League Central Division One, but have been in and around the play off spots for the majority of this season.
Kempston Rovers have also released a statement this afternoon:
“Kempston Rovers can announce that manager Chris Nunn has left the Walnuts to take on the vacant managerial position at Southern Premier Central club AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
“Chris leaves the club in 11th place after 17 league games, winning 6, drawing 4 and losing 7.
“Despite the obvious disappointment from all at the club, Chris leaves with well wishes from the players, supporters and officials, with huge appreciation for making Kempston Rovers a competitive club in step 4 once again.”
Nunn made his name at nearby Biggleswade Town, spending over a decade at the club and transforming them from a Step Five to Step Three club, and his stock has been rising ever since.
Many non-league onlookers had been tipping Nunn to take over at The Eyrie, but despite reforming in 2011, Rushden and Diamonds still holds a certain pull, even without the old iconic Nene Park to attract players and fans alike.
Fuller takes over
Kempston Rovers have wasted no time in announcing Nunn’s successor, as his assistant, Ashley Fuller – well known to everyone at Hillgrounds – steps in to management for the first time.
Fuller previously made 165 appearances for the club between the years of 2014 to 2018, finding the net 48 times and was a key part of the United Counties double winning side in 2015/16.
His task will now be to continue the excellent start that Rovers have made, starting with a trip to Barton Rovers on Boxing Day.
Nunn’s tenure at Diamonds begins with a trip to a certain Bedford Town, where the Eagles are enticing fans to The Eyrie with matchday tickets for £5 on Boxing Day.
