NORTH Leigh have appointed former Oxford United winger and coach Chris Allen as manager.

Allen replaces another former U’s player, Eddie Odhiambo, who left the Millers earlier this month.

The 50-year-old holds a UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification in the country, and coaches at Coventry City Under-21s.

Allen made more than 150 appearances for United, before moving to Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

During his time with the U’s, he played for England at Under-21 level.

Allen later played for North Leigh, and has previously been involved in a coaching capacity.

He will be in the dugout as the Millers welcome Adderbury Park in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup tomorrow night.

In October 2020, Allen left as first team coach at United.

He initially coached the academy from Under-9s to Under-16s, before taking over the Under-18s side and progressing through to work with the first team under Michael Appleton.

Allen was part of the backroom staff when the club won promotion from Sky Bet League Two in the 2015/16 season.

Earlier this month, Odhiambo and assistant boss Michael Alexis left the Millers.

Odhiambo led the club to an historic promotion in May, reaching the seventh tier of English football for the first time, after beating Ware 4-2 in the Southern League Division One Central play-off final.

However, the Eynsham Park outfit have struggled so far in Southern League Premier South, sitting bottom of the table and seven points inside the drop zone.