Tim Flowers: Solihull Moors manager leaves club by mutual consent

Tim Flowers had two spells as caretaker boss of Northampton Town before joining the Solihull Moors coaching staff

Former England goalkeeper Tim Flowers has left his role as Solihull Moors manager after 19 months in charge.

The 52-year-old succeeded Mark Yates as boss in June 2018, having been his assistant as the club avoided relegation from the National League.

He led the club to a best-ever finish of second place in the fifth tier last term, and to the second round of the FA Cup before losing to Blackpool.

This season Solihull are ninth, a point off the play-off places.

"The journey that we've been on in the last two years or so has been quite remarkable," Flowers said in a statement on the club website.

"Firstly, the great escape when Mark Yates, myself, Gary Whild and Darren Acton managed to somehow maintain our National League status against all the odds.

"To back that up with the season we had last year, finishing runners-up and taking it all the way to the final day of the season was a monumental achievement by all involved."

Tim Flowers won 11 caps and was in England's squad for Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup

The former Wolves, Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City keeper, who has left Damson Park by mutual consent, won 44 and lost 25 of his 92 games in charge.

Having finished second to Leyton Orient in 2018-19, they were beaten by AFC Fylde in the play-off semi-finals as they tried to reach the English Football League for the first time.

Gary Whild and James Quinn will be in interim charge of the club until a successor to Flowers is found, starting with Tuesday night's game at home to leaders Barrow.

"Tim has made an invaluable contribution to the development of Moors and his legacy will be enshrined in Moors history forever," chairman Darryl Eales said.

"He has been an absolute pleasure to work with and he has done a magnificent job for the club. Our progress under his stewardship has been fantastic and he leaves a great foundation for future success."

Moors no longer 'Little Solihull'

Analysis: BBC WM's Steve Hermon

It may have been seen by some as a gamble to promote Tim Flowers to the manager's job in June 2018 when Mark Yates left to join Macclesfield. But, because of his playing background, it did strike me that he would be a man who would command immediate respect in the dressing room.

He was familiar to the players and inheriting a side that ended the 2017-18 season in fine form. But nobody would have predicted them finishing second in the National League in his first and, to date, only full season as a manager.

The Moors didn't do it in the prettiest fashion. They were rugged but effective. They didn't mind getting stuck in and seemingly enjoyed the perceived tag of 'Little Solihull Moors', riling opponents with Football League experience and bigger budgets.

His time in charge brought a massive transformation off the field. They have a brand new main stand with great facilities and there's even a club shop next to the car park, which is no longer riddled with potholes.

It's completely unrecognisable from the ground that was falling apart in places when they were first promoted to the National League. They've also invested in the community and are slowly building a fanbase. They are no longer 'Little Solihull Moors and chairman Darryl Eales' ambitions of reaching the Football League are no longer a pipe dream."