Ian Evatt has thanked outgoing Barrow AFC owner Paul Casson for giving him his first shot at management.

The news that Casson was handing over control of the club to director Paul Hornby was only broken to Evatt on Tuesday morning, with the AFC boss admitting it came out of the blue.

Evatt was appointed by Casson to replace Ady Pennock during the summer, following a season that saw Barrow narrowly avoid relegation from the National League and go through three managers in the process.

Things have thankfully calmed down at Holker Street this season, with AFC currently in mid-table and Evatt making the most of a reduced budget by building a squad with one eye on the future.

Evatt said: “It was very surprising to find out he was stepping down, but obviously him and his family have put a lot into this football club in the last few years, so we should thank him for his efforts.

“I also thank him for giving me the fantastic opportunity to manage at this club and hopefully myself and Paul Hornby can carry on moving Barrow forwards.

“Paul probably gets more stick than he actually deserves because he’s put millions of pounds into this football club and probably not had a great deal back.

“I’m just grateful that he’s given me this opportunity because Barrow is a fantastic football club and I’ve met some fantastic people here and I hope now that I can continue to progress this team alongside Paul Hornby, who is a fantastic guy.

“I’m delighted that he’s becoming chairman because I think he’s a great man for the job.”

Evatt is pleased that the transition from Casson to Hornby, who has become interim chairman, will be a smooth one, with none of the usual drama that often comes with a change in ownership and control at a football club.

That will mean there is no disruption to the players and staff’s preparations for Saturday’s match against Barnet, at Holker Street, as they look to put last week’s FA Cup disappointment at Chorley behind them.

Evatt said: “Evatt said: “Obviously, behind the scenes without my knowledge and other people’s knowledge, there’s been conversations taking place, so that happens. It’s great that they’ve been able to do that and congratulations to everyone that it’s going to be such a smooth transition.

“A football club is a huge thing because there’s a lot of people employed, not only on the playing staff side but also the coaching staff and all the people who work at the stadium in midweek or on matchdays.

“Whatever happens, they’re obviously concerned for their job, but because it’s so smooth, the way Paul has left the club, it’s in a good place.”

Evatt has already spoken to Hornby about the short-term plans, following the change at the top, but the conversation over what the manager describes as ‘the big picture’ won’t take place until later in the week.

“Fingers crossed, it all does run smoothly,” Evatt said, adding: “I’m just delighted that we’ve got this fantastic football club and there’s a big thanks to Paul Casson for everything he’s done for the club, and his family.

“This is a new start, a new way forward and hopefully we can progress the club together and get it back into the Football League, which was Paul Casson’s dream from day one.”