Kinniburgh confirmed as Steelmen boss

The club’s director of football, who heads up their academy, has been in charge of first-team affairs since the end of September following the departure of David Bell.

During that time, he has led the Steelmen away from the wrong end of the Evo-Stik League South and to within five points of the play-off places.

That remains the gap between themselves and the top six despite the 6-1 defeat at Leek Town today (Saturday), which was their fourth game in the space of seven days.

But chairman Stevie Noble confirmed Kinniburgh’s role as the first-team manager has now been made permanent following the loss in Staffordshire.

“Steve will be the first-team manager at Corby Town next season,” Noble said.

“We have had three turbulent seasons but we will be getting a bit of honesty with Steve. He is down to earth.

“I think we are trying to do things the right way and that’s the reason he will be staying at our club. Going forward, I think we will be doing well under him.

“I am looking forward to the rest of the season, Steve will be here and that is a real positive.”

Kinniburgh’s first game as the permanent boss will be a local derby against Stamford at Steel Park on Monday afternoon.

That will be the fifth of seven matches in the space of a fortnight for Corby and it’s a run of fixtures that has left Noble disappointed with the Evo-Stik League’s scheduling of re-arranged matches.

The Corby chairman added: “I want to defend the players because we have had a horrendous week and we have another one coming.

“The fixtures in this division have been horrendous. We have had one home game called off by the weather and we are playing seven games in 14 days.

“It’s a joke to be honest and that’s nothing to do with the lads or the management or anyone at Corby Town but it’s down to the league and their structure.

“I know they are desperate to get these games finished before the end of the season but they have to help the clubs.”