BOSS Phil Wilson has pledged his future to Lancaster City Football club - despite the lure of his old club.

Wilson, one of the most highly rated managers in non-league circles, has been in charge of the Dolly Blues for 18 months.

He took them into the Conference North last season - their highest ever position in the football pyramid system - and now they are aiming for promotion into the Nationwide Conference alongside local rivals Morecambe.

His former club Stalybridge Celtic made no secret of their desire to appoint the popular Wilson as their boss for the third time - just a month after Ashton United targeted Wilson for their top job.

He told the Citizen on Wednesday: "I did have to think long and hard about this. I had nine good years at Stalybridge in two spells and they wanted me to be their manager again, but I am happy here at Lancaster. The people at the club are fine and everything feels right.

"I have started a job here and I want to see it through. I want to achieve success with Lancaster City and I feel that we are heading in the right direction.

"I have a commitment to the club, a commitment to the players and a commitment to the fans and I could not justify walking away."