PETER Ward could make a shock return as Kidsgrove Athletic manager less than a month after being sacked by the club.

John Rowley gave Ward the bullet shortly after taking over as Kidsgrove chairman last month, and then appointed Stone Dominoes' boss Shaun Hollinshead as his replacement.

But the Evo-Stik Division One South club's four shareholders will meet tomorrow night when the saga could be turned on its head.

Groundsman Ian Cooper, businessman Paul Holdcroft and Sentinel Charity Football Competitions chairman Alan Vickers are standing for appointment as directors.

If their election is rubber-stamped, as expected, an immediate board meeting could see Hollinshead given his notice and Ward asked to come back.

However, Hollinshead said: "It is a strange situation, but I don't think it's anything that can't be overcome.

"I'm not interested in the politics, and until I'm told otherwise I will just carry on doing the job.

"I've already started talking to players and getting my team ready for the new season. It is a challenge I can't wait to get my teeth into."

Shareholder and former Kidsgrove chairman Terry Hillman has led the revolt.

The 58-year-old grounds-work firm owner from Burslem said: "John did not consult with shareholders when he made these decisions. He cannot run this club on his own.

"We spent a lot of money to get Kidsgrove into this league and we want to bring people in who will get more money into the club so we can progress further, not fall backwards."

Former Kidsgrove striker Vickers, aged 64, hopes the Seddon Stadium soap opera can be resolved as quickly as possible.

He said: "It is fair to say that John jumped the gun by getting rid of Peter as manager. It is not a foregone conclusion, but it is possible he could make a return.

"I have known Shaun for many years and he is a good manager himself. It is an unfortunate situation."

Kidsgrove have four shareholders following the death of another former chairman, John Bailey, in 2005.

Hillman, Sue Allans, Stan Brown and Ernie Langford all hold an equal stake in the club.

Rowley replaced Mick Fitzjohn as chairman last month. It is understood both will be asked to remain as directors.

Fitzjohn will return from Cyprus tomorrow in time for the meeting, and his stance is likely to sway any decisions.

Rowley, aged 72, said: "This is all making the club look ridiculous. There should be no problem whatsoever, but I know there's been a lot of stuff said on internet forums.

"The shareholders have a certain power and I understand that three of them will vote the same way. After that I am in the dark.

"Shaun knows what could happen. I couldn't appoint him without letting him know and I will continue to back him. He was over the moon to get the job and I think he deserves a chance at this level.

"At the moment we are just carrying on as normal. It's all we can do. People seem to think the club runs itself by magic during the summer, but it doesn't.

"I don't know where I stand myself. The one certain thing is that if it all goes pear-shaped again I won't be back in a hurry to clear things up."

Hollinshead, a former Kidsgrove player, has arrived at the club with two assistants, his former Stone colleague Phil Bath and ex-Norton boss Dave Johnson.

Bath said: "If it happens, it happens, that's football ... but our fingers are crossed that it won't."

Ward led the club to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup last season, the furthest they have ever gone in the competition.

An injury crisis meant the team finished 13th in the league, but Grove also picked up their fourth Staffordshire Senior Cup title in the six years under his watch.

Ward says he has kept his distance from any club politics since being dismissed.

He added: "At the moment I am just a sacked manager. I obviously didn't want to leave, and going back would be something I'd consider."

unreal ! more entertaining than eastenders!!

But less believable

Why oh why is this happening to our great club.
It was common knowledge towards the end of last season a new chairman and manager would be in place for the new season. No one else came forward to take on the role of chairman except john Rowley, so fair play to him.We have been blessed with three great ex chairman's, terry hillman took us to great heights even paying 10,000pound I believe for Steve Walters,stan brown. Made the club with a wonderful stadium,mick was a diamond and brought great things to the club,all three deserve great accolades.I am concerned by today's sentinel,previous shareholders revolt is now tarnishing the club,how can there be a revolt by certain individual's when they haven't watched or shown any interest in years is beyond me,if wardy returns all of the squad have left, so no advantage,unless there is a sudden change in the club finances.shaun hollinshead has excepted the challenge, how is he supposed to move forward, we can't even plan friendlies ,i do feel sorry for shaun and dave.i do feel if any shareholder objected to John, they should of discussed this after the vale match in preparation for the new season, not waiting until now. Fans should have a say, I do believe a selection should be allowed to join the meeting, we do travel many miles everywhere and deserve our say.

I think pete ward has well and truly spat is dummy on this one and caused this

I agree pete ward is the one stiring the shit. The Shareholders are now only showing intrest because the club is debt free. No matter how good the previous chairmen where did they not leave is in a hell off alot of debt? I can tell you one thing if pete does become manager by Christmas we will not have a club playing wages out like we where last season. You can not pay money out you have not got. We are becoming a laughing stock and I wonder of the league will not get involved.

We had the euro, coalition government and now this, world's gone crazy

Interesting all these NEW members to the forum since the sacking of Ward and that they declare to know more about the club, past chairman, budgets etc than the people involved in the club

Agreed that 'Kidsgrove Athletics' world has gone mad and not just about this announcement but also with the weeks previous. I believe there is more stirring going on within the club that then fans truely know.

I can believe that.

Fed up with it all to be honest. All I will say is I feel for Shaun Hollinshead in all this.

Shaun has left a steady job at stone and through no fault of his own could be without a job.I can only imagine how he feels

I think the most important thing that needs to happen out of all this is that the correct decision is made & in the correct way. Then whoever is manager be it Wardy & Buck or Shaun Hollinshead then we can start backing the management & start supporting the team & look forward to the coming season.

Please mate , a few paragraphs and sentencing formats would help !

Otherwise I agree with u 100 pc mate , and as others have pointed out its amazing how many NEW users have appeared recently !

I for one thinks it's time for the club to move on with Shaun , it's aready beyond a joke and Wardys potential return serves no purpose .

Why should I make it any easier -)

Read previous mate !!!!!!!

When does one train of thought start and another end ?

Anyway great wise one, what's your view on the happenings at grove?.

-)

Looks like the general view is for shaun to stay ,John to carry on.

Please let this be sorted soon, it's becoming embarrasing :(

Exactly ! :angry:

Craftman -Winsford away in July, you going?

If u finally get a pint in at the pub :lol:

,It been decimalised since you bought one -),OLD MAN

Can't wait for pre-season, going to b hard work, but exciting new challenges all round, :ph43r: :huh: :o ;) :P :D :lol: B) :rolleyes: <_< :) :angry: :( :unsure: :blink: :ph43r: ????????