Darren Edmondson has left his role as Penrith AFC first team manager after three seasons with the Northern League club.
Edmondson, 53, took over the reins at Frenchfield Park in the summer of 2022, succeeding Chris Humphrey.
Penrith finished 14th in Northern League Division I during Edmondson’s first season in charge, 15th in his second and then ended the 2024-25 campaign in 17th spot with 48 points.
During those three seasons, the Blues also reached two Cumberland FA Senior Cup finals, losing first to Workington in 2023 and then, last month, against Carlisle City.
Penrith chairman Billy Williams confirmed last night that Edmondson had tendered his resignation earlier this week.
“We thank Darren for his efforts at Penrith Football Club and wish him well for the future,” said Mr Williams, who added that the search for a successor was well under way.
Edmondson said: “I have loved my time at Penrith. It’s a great club. I just felt I’ve done all I can now.”
Edmondson held an online Zoom call with Penrith’s players earlier this week. “I got some lovely personal messages back from them after that. I felt there was a mutual respect.
“This season, if it hadn’t been for so many long-term injuries to key players we would have had a better season. I genuinely believe that. The players were committed. We weren’t that far away from finishing in the top half of the table.”
Edmondson, a defender, played for Carlisle United, Huddersfield Town, York City, Chester City and, latterly, Workington AFC, during his playing career. He went on to manage Workington AFC, Barrow and then, on a caretaker basis, Bradford Park Avenue.
He was also in charge of Carlisle United’s Academy for a spell before joining Penrith.
Edmondson continues to run Cumbria Institute of Sport, at Newton Rigg, near Penrith.
This afternoon, it was announced that Edmondson will be Workington Reds manager for a second time.
Edmondson took charge of the Reds in 2007, keeping them in the National North before leaving in 2013 to manage Barrow.
He led them to promotion from National North to the National League in his second season.
