MICHAEL Morton has been appointed manager of Tadcaster Albion following the departure of Billy Miller.

Morton, who stepped down as assistant-manager last summer, had been coaching young players at the club's i2i Football Academy.

Former York City and Leeds United striker Richard Cresswell, meanwhile, has been appointed Technical Director at i2i Sports and will oversee and work closely with Morton and assistant Simon Collins.

Miller stepped down as Albion manager just 12 months after leading the club to promotion from the Northern Counties East League.

During his two year spell in charge, he also led the Brewers to the the finals of the NCEL League Cup and the West Riding County Cup.

This season, however, the Brewers finished just two places above the relegation zone in Evo-Stik First Division North and collected only six points from the final 12 games.

Miller, who has recently been promoted to a director's role at Askham Bryan College, said: "The extra responsibilities at work and the desire for the owners to bring the management of the club 'in house' at some point played a significant part in me choosing to step aside now.

"I’ve been a football manager for 18 years now," he reflected "The time is right for me to spend more time with my family and friends and further my passion for music.

"I would like to thank everyone involved in the club - the magnificent players, the tremendous staff, the brilliant fans and the great volunteers," he added. "I have absolutely loved every minute and I am honoured to say I have managed this fantastic club."

Albion chairman Matt Gore paid tribute to Miller, saying: “I can safely say that bringing Billy on board was one of the best decisions we have made.

"Billy has been an absolute pleasure to work with, an all-round nice guy who has done so much more for the club than anyone will ever understand.

"We have developed a strong friendship out of football that will no doubt remain. Achieving promotion in his first season was an unbelievable feat.”

"Collectively, we felt it was the right time to have a look at the situation due to the significant expansion of i2i Sports, Billy’s promotion at work, and (assistant manager) Matt Heath deciding he would be leaving the management team.

"Billy has left a lasting legacy at the club and who knows what the future holds? Billy, Matt and Richard Lawrence have done a magnificent job and we will always be grateful for their tremendous work and for the amazing memories created.”