Robbie Nightingale has thanked the board, staff, players and fans at Soham Town Rangers after he left the club to take over the vacant managerial post at Cambridge City.

Nightingale was last night (November 30) announced as the Lilywhites’ boss after Dan Gleeson was sacked just hours before.

The former Greens joint-boss and player takes the reins at ProEdge Westwood Road with City stuck in 23rd place in the Evo-Stik Souther League, Premier Division, and was quick to thank his old club for handing him his first step into management.

“I’d like to pay tribute to everyone at Soham and thank them for giving me the opportunity at my first job in management,” he told Cambridge City’s official website.

“The support I have had from the chairman, board, playing and coaching staff, as well as the fans, has been superb.”

Nightingale returns to the club where he made 350 appearances as a player, which included City’s final game at their Milton Road base in April 2013.

He took over as Soham manager alongside fellow City favourite Dave Theobald in 2013 following the departure of Steve Fallon.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity to come back and manage a team who not only I played for but who I support too. I was even a mascot many years ago so to now be manager is an amazing feeling.

“I know what it means to be a fan and a player for this club and I am absolutely determined to bring the good times back to Cambridge City.

“Right now we have to deal with the current situation and that means improving our league position. I know it looks bleak but I am confident we can stay up.

“When Dave Theobald and I were appointed at Soham the team were several points adrift, but we stayed up so I know what is needed to get this right. It will inevitably mean investing in new playing personnel but they must be players who are up for the challenge ahead and take pride in wearing the City shirt.”

Soham chairman, Stuart Hamilton, admitted he was disappointed to see Nightingale leave the club, but thanked him for his efforts.

He said: “Robbie has done a tremendous job for the club and has worked tirelessly to put together the current squad.

“He has not only been manager but worked in bringing new sponsors and worked alongside the ground staff on the summer pitch improvements.

“Although we’re very disappointed that Robbie has decided to leave midway through the season, we wish him all the very best in new role and cannot thank him enough for all his hard work during the past fourteen months.”

Theobald will remain in charge for the Greens’ trip to Romford on Saturday (3pm), before a new boss is announced.