The Harrogate Town revolution has continued with a management reshuffle plus the major signing of former Leeds United defender Neil Aspin.

Boss Mick Hennigan, whose arrival in September last year signalled a significant upturn in fortunes, has become director of football and will join the board, while his assistant John Reed, whose arrival in November saw results improve further, has now been appointed team manager.

"All the changes will hopefully be of benefit to everybody and most of all the club, though the set-up will still be similar to last season," said Hennigan.

"But whatever you do, or whatever title you've got, the bottom line is you have to win matches.

"If you don't, you can have the best title in the world but will still get sacked."

He added: "John Reed has been a success as manager everywhere he's been. He's a knowledgeable, bright, bubbly person who gets on well with the lads.

"He wants to win and I would say it's a good decision by the club to make him team manager."

Meanwhile, the Leeds United connection at Wetherby Road has grown with the signing of free agent Aspin, who will also be handed a coaching role.

He joins Hennigan, chairman Bill Fotherby, managing director Nigel Pleasants, president Leslie Silver, director Drew Tiffany and coach Peter Gunby as former United men.

"Neil Aspin coming is a big boost to the club, which shows how ambitious the club is. He was at Leeds when I (as assistant to ex-boss Howard Wilkinson) was there," said Hennigan.

"He's a straightforward, honest guy who shows a lot of respect to the game and is a good professional.

"I would see him as a good role model within the club and he's still a fine footballer."

The 35-year-old, who made almost 600 Football League appearances for Leeds and Port Vale, turned out for both Darlington and Hartlepool last season. Last week he starred for Leeds in the televised over-35s Masters' event in Sheffield.

"I'm pleased he chose Harrogate Town instead of a few other clubs," added Hennigan.

"He wants to learn about coaching and we will help him with that.

"We've got to be able to tap into his experience and enthusiasm and once he settles in he will take more and more responsibility."

Hennigan, who said more new players would probably arrive this summer, refused to comment on whether promotion was the immediate target - although the signings would suggest Fotherby was keen to get the club back into the UniBond League premier division.

"The only target I'm setting is to win our first game. After that, the target will be to win the next game," said Hennigan.

"I think it's disrespectful to say we'll do this and do that, as if all the other teams will lie down and let you. You have to treat each game with the utmost respect and hope to come out on top.

"My target is to win as many matches as we can- if we don't win enough I will get sacked and maybe a few others will too."

Harrogate begin summer training a week today, ahead of pre-season friendlies, which include home matches against York City (August 1, ko 7.30pm) and Leeds United (August 13, ko 7.45pm).

Updated: 12:35 Tuesday, June 26, 2001