Boston United have confirmed the appointment of Paul Hurst as their new first team manager, marking a high profile return to York Street for one of the most successful figures in the club’s modern history.
The 51-year-old succeeds Graham Coughlan in the dugout and returns to Lincolnshire nearly 15 years after leaving the Pilgrims for Grimsby Town. Hurst will be joined once again by long-term assistant Chris Doig, with the pair set to take charge immediately ahead of Saturday’s National League trip to FC Halifax Town.
Hurst’s first spell at Boston, shared with Rob Scott between 2009 and 2011, remains one of the most productive periods the club has enjoyed in recent decades. During that time, United lifted three trophies in the 2009–10 season, including promotion via the UniBond Premier League play-offs, alongside the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup and the Lincolnshire Senior Shield. The Pilgrims were again well placed for promotion in 2010–11 before Grimsby Town moved to secure the services of the management duo in March 2011.
Since leaving Boston, Hurst has built a substantial managerial CV across the EFL and National League. He guided Grimsby Town back into the Football League via the National League play-offs in 2016, repeating the feat in 2022, while also leading the Mariners to an historic FA Cup quarter-final run in 2023. His work at Shrewsbury Town saw him named League One Manager of the Year in 2017–18, after taking the Shropshire side to both the League One play-off final and the EFL Trophy final at Wembley.
Boston chairman David Newton welcomed the appointment, describing it as a key moment for the club as they look to consolidate their place in the National League and build for the future. Newton acknowledged the circumstances surrounding Hurst’s departure in 2011, but stressed that the matter had long since been resolved, with relationships remaining positive in the years that followed.
“I am delighted that Paul has agreed to re-join Boston United,” Newton said. “We enjoyed great success during his previous spell at the club and I was pleased to see him progress to managing at Championship level. We have kept in touch ever since and this felt like the right time to bring him back.”
Newton also confirmed that Lee Bullen has departed the club following the appointment of Hurst and Doig, offering thanks for his contribution and wishing him well for the future.
Hurst now faces the immediate challenge of stabilising United’s National League campaign, while rekindling the connection with a supporter base that remembers his previous tenure fondly. With a proven track record of building competitive sides and delivering promotions, his return represents a statement of intent from Boston United as they enter a new chapter on and off the pitch.