Graeme Lee's managerial reign at National League North club Spennymoor Town came to an end last month.

Former Hartlepool United favourite Graeme Lee has been described as ‘incredible’ after his time as manager of National League North club Spennymoor Town came to an end.

The former Pools defender and manager was appointed as Moors boss in January 2024 and came close to guiding the club away from the relegation zone in non-league’s second tier and into the play-off places during his first four months in charge before narrowly missing out on a top seven place by a solitary point. Lee’s first full season in charge brought a historic moment as his side helped the Moors reach their first ever FA Trophy final before a Wembley defeat against Aldershot Town ended any thoughts of silverware and the success continued into this season as Lee’s side reached the FA Cup first round before falling to a defeat against League Two side Barrow.

A run of inconsistent form left the Moors sitting in mid-table in the National League North and Lee’s managerial reign was officially brought to an end just under two weeks ago. However, the impact he made during his time in charge has triggered a strong message of gratitude from Spennymoor’s all-time record goalscorer and captain Glen Taylor.

He told The Mail: “He’s incredible. People quickly forget what has been done when you’ve had a few bad results in a season - but Spike is one of the most successful managers Spenny have ever had in terms of singular achievements. He got to Wembley in the FA Trophy, he got the record points total for the club and he got us to the first round of the FA Cup. You can’t know what he has achieved, we’ve had an unbelievable run with him and I don’t know why it hasn’t worked this season but, as I said when he rang me to say he’d lost his job, I am forever grateful to him because I got to captain my team at Wembley and he was a massive part of the season why I did that.”

Unfinished business

Glen Taylor was named as the inaugural North East Football Writers Association Non-League Personality of the Year (photo Barry Pells, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation) | Barry Pells, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation

placeholder image — Glen Taylor was named as the inaugural North East Football Writers Association Non-League Personality of the Year (photo Barry Pells, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation) | Barry Pells, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation

As one former Pools favourite departs the Brewery Field, another has returned to the club as Tommy Miller has been named as part of an interim management team that will guide the Moors until the end of the season. Life with Spenny is no new experience for the former Pools midfielder after he spent five years working as assistant manager to Moors legend Jason Ainsley before stepping into the lead role in the dugout for a seven month spell in 2021. Taylor is relishing the opportunity to work under Miller and Matty Dolan and believes they will bring ‘a nice blend’ as they look to help their side produce a strong end to the season.

Taylor said: “I think we loved our time with Tommy. He was assistant for five years and he was manager for eight or nine months but it was during that Covid period and nothing went smoothly then. Tommy has unfinished business in terms of managing the club and the players have responded really well to his messages and to his approach to management. With the help of Matty Dolan, who is so passionate about his coaching and the tactical side of the game, he’s a very experienced player in his own right so there is a nice blend and that’s welcomed by the players.”

Taylor and his Spennymoor team-mates will be looking to make it two wins in three games when they host Bedford Town at the Brewery Field on Saturday.

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