Ex-Derby County man Charlie Palmer takes over Belper Town reins

He joins the Evo-Stik First Division South side from Long Eaton United where he had been manager for the past two years.

Another former defender, Lee Barrow, will be his assistant at the Nailers. The pair succeed Jimmy Albans and Wayne Hallcro, who left the club last week.

Born in Aylesbury, Palmer started his football career as an apprentice at Watford, managed by Graham Taylor. He played 18 matches for Watford, including four in the UEFA Cup.

In July 1984, he moved to Derby County where under the management of Arthur Cox, he was part of the team that won the Football League Second Division in season 1986–87.

Before the end of that season he moved to Hull City for a transfer fee of £30,000. After a two year stay in Hull, he moved to Notts County where he is perhaps best remembered for the winning goal against rivals Nottingham Forest in the local derby.

Palmer moved on to play for Walsall in 1994 and since finishing playing, he coached Hinckley United under manager Dean Thomas before joining Mickleover sports and assistant to Dick Pratley.

He took over as first team manager of Long Eaton United in 2013.

His assistant, Belper born Barrow, enjoyed a tremendous career in professional and semi-professional football.

As a forceful central defender Barrow started his career as an apprentice at Notts County without breaking into the first team.

Following a short spell with Scarborough, his career took off at Torquay United where he made 164 appearances for the Devon club.

A spell in Welsh League football followed with a £7,500 transfer to Barry Town for whom he played European football and then on to Aberystwyth Town followed before he returned to Midlands in 2002 when he signed for Stafford Rangers for a single season followed by three seasons at Hednesford Town.

A move to Leek Town followed in 2006 but he is probably best known to Belper supporters for his time at Rushall Olympic, playing against the Nailers in a Divisional play-off semi final in 2009.

More recently he has played for two seasons at Derbyshire rivals, Mickleover Sports followed by a further season at Gresley, before his playing career finally came to an end.