Peaks pens new Tamworth deal ahead of Spurs Cup tie

Andy Peaks was previously in charge of AFC Rushden and Diamonds

Tamworth manager Andy Peaks has signed a new full-time contract to run until 2027, three days before the Lambs' FA Cup third-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur.

Peaks, who has been in charge since February 2022, led the Lambs to back-to-back promotions, including winning last season's National League North title.

They reached round three by knocking out League One clubs Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion, on penalties.

From February, the 53-year-old former AFC Rushden & Diamonds boss will leave his job as a support worker at Tresham College in Kettering, Northamptonshire to focus full-time on The Lambs.

"Since we got into the National League, it's just got tougher and tougher," Peaks told BBC Sport. "I was hoping to be able to carry on doing both.

"I love my college job but I wasn't giving it my full attention, leaving at 2.00 in the afternoon to go to an away match, then getting back at 2.00 in the morning and then being back at work for 7.30 the next morning. It just wasn't right. We've spoken about it for a little while now.

"When I went in on Tuesday to tell them at the college I was leaving, I then had to also tell them I was heading off at 2.00 again that afternoon to go to Sutton United for our rearranged FA Trophy tie, after it was cancelled at the weekend.

"This will allow me to focus more on keeping this club in the National League. This FA Cup run has been a lovely reward for the players for all that they've achieved so far - and we're all incredibly excited about playing Tottenham on Sunday.

"But that is a bonus. The real business is still about being in the National League come next August."

Although they were beaten 1-0 at Sutton in Tuesday's rearranged Trophy game, Tamworth are 16th in the National League table, seven points clear of danger.

Sunday's sold-out 3,750-capacity tie (12:30 GMT) is the club's biggest game since facing Everton in the third round in 2011-12.