The former Saffron Dynamo boss will join Tony Blanchard’s backroom team as the Nomads look to push for the top end of the table when non-League football resumes.

 

Blanchard told the club`s website: “We’re delighted to have Kelvin on board. I’ve known him for a few years now and think he’ll be a great addition to the coaching staff. He’s enthusiastic and has a great work ethic, he’s also shown that he knows how to win and get the best out of his players.”

 

Granger, whose career in football began playing as a winger, has worked for several clubs throughout the county, steadily progressing up the football pyramid.

 

He said: “I didn’t get started in football until I was 21, so I still have a childlike enthusiasm for the game.

 

“I’d been playing Sunday league football before moving into Saturday football as well. Cosby United had three teams at the time and when the third team Manager stepped away, I decided to move in to coaching and took over the side. I quickly realised that I wanted a bigger challenge and moved on to Saffron Dynamo reserves in the Combination League.”

 

After just a year at Saffron, Granger was put forward for the vacant Barwell reserve manager role.

 

“I went and met the chairman and was just blown away by the facilities, I jumped at the opportunity. On reflection, it might have been too big a step for me at that stage of my career, but I did learn a lot from the experience, it definitely made me a better manager.”

 

After his spell with the Canaries, Granger had numerous offers, deciding upon Aylestone-based St Andrews.

 

“I took on the reserves with the Saints, the year they made the semi-final of the FA Vase. It was great to be around Adam Hart, he’s a fantastic coach and someone that was great to learn from.”

 

After taking a year off from being on the sidelines, Granger got back to playing, spending a season with Lutterworth Town reserves before stepping back in to the hot-seat as player-manager.

 

“I didn’t enjoy the dual role so decided to stop playing, just focusing on the management side again. It was an amazing season for the club, the first team won promotion to the UCL, not losing a single match and drawing just the one. My reserve side went one better and won every match in the league and the league cup. It was incredible to be a part of such an achievement across the club.”

 

After that remarkable season, Saffron Dynamo approached Granger to offer him his first opportunity at first team management.

 

“It was a no-brainer for me to go back to Saffron, it was a tremendous step up and a fantastic chance to really test myself.”

 

Dynamo were in the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division when Granger arrived.

 

“We had a couple of seasons in the Premier Division,” recalled Granger. “We were runners-up in my second season, earning promotion to the United Counties League Division One.”

 

Apart from leading the Saffron Dynamo to their highest ever league position, Granger also helped them to their best FA Vase run, reaching the Second Round last season.

 

“It was disappointing to not be able to finish the season, but halting play was the right thing to do. I’m definitely sad to leave there, there are some fantastic people at the club and I will miss them all, but it’s the right time to move on to a fresh challenge.

 

“I’ve known Tony for a few years and dealt with him over the signing of Josh Hill. He’s a great manager and I’m really looking forward to learning from him now. Having spoken to the chairman as well and seeing the plans for the future of Anstey Nomads, I know that this club is heading in the right direction and I’m excited to be a part of that journey”.