Wayne Anderson and Neil Jarvis have completed shock U-turns as they look to rescue Fakenham Town's season.
Anderson stunned the Ghosts by quitting as their first-team boss in March last year to unexpectedly take charge of Dereham Town Reserves.
His replacement, former sidekick and club stalwart Jarvis, didn't hang around for too long either opting to become Wroxham's assistant just three months ago.
But yesterday the pair made a surprise return to their former roles at Clipbush Park in the hope of saving the relegation-threatened club's Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Premier Division status.
Fakenham director of football Geoff Saunders said: 'Wayne is still in love with Fakenham Town.
'It means lots to him and I mean quite a lot to him. He took on a new challenge at Dereham and I know he likes everyone there but he wants to come back for another challenge here.
'We want Wayne and Jarvo to carry on where they left off, which involves keeping Fakenham in the Premier Division, building up our resources, and getting our academy up and running.
'Having Jarvo back is a bonus. It hasn't been working out for him at Wroxham and as we all know he's Mr Fakenham. Having them back together can only be good for the club.'
Anderson swapped the hot seat of Downham Town for Fakenham, then rock bottom of the Eastern Counties' second tier, in January 2010. He improved the Ghosts' position season-on-season, culminating in promotion back to the top flight for the first time in 10 years as runners-up in 2014.
The former King's Lynn midfielder leaves Dereham's second string sitting 15th in the First Division while Jarvis exits Wroxham – the second right-hand man to walk out on Stewart Larter this term – in the middle of a survival battle of their own in Ryman League North, the same level as Dereham's first team.
The duo's comeback leaves player-boss Robbie Harris' future up in the air once he has taken charge of Fakenham's home game with Hadleigh United on Saturday.
'I wish the club well and have enjoyed my first taste of management,' said the rookie, who is standing down having won only five of his 20 games at the helm.
Saturday's 4-1 loss at fellow strugglers Saffron Walden Town left second-from-bottom Fakenham, who had equalised through Josh Youngs, two points from safety having played three games more than their rivals.
'We'd like to thank Robbie for his role and hope he stays with us as a player' said Saunders.
'He'll manage the team on Saturday and will then take a few days to think about what his future holds.'
Long-serving Dereham first-team boss Matt Henman added: 'I think Fakenham is where Wayne's heart is.
'He built the club up with Jarvo and I respect his decision to go back, although I am disappointed to lose him. He's a good football guy who brought a lot of energy to the club.'
E-mail matt.henman@derehamtownfc.co.uk if you are interested in filling the Magpies' managerial vacancy.
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