2008–09 was the final season for ex-player Barrie Stimpson who was replaced as manager by the returning Hesketh. Lancaster lost the 2009–10 play-off final 1–0 at home to Colwyn Bay and unfortunately, despite another Presidents Cup Final triumph in 2011, Hesketh could not guide the club to a much desired promotion, finishing 7th in 2010–11 and 6th in 2011–12, eventually leaving early into the following season to be replaced by ex Sunderland and Darlington player Neil Wainwright. Wainwright left in February 2013 due to budget cuts and was in turn replaced by former Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers defender Darren Peacock who brought in former teammate Trevor Sinclair as his assistant. Both Peacock and Sinclair left the club in September 2015 after a disappointing start to the season and City appointed former player Phil Brown as manager who, after leading the team to a top six finish and a narrow penalties defeat in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy final to Chorley, then took City to the 2016–17 Northern Premier League Division One league title. However, after a bright start to the 2017-18 season the team then struggled, finishing in eighteenth position, and Brown left City after a torrid start to the 2018-19 season. Former Nelson and Ramsbottom United manager Mark Fell was brought as his replacement in October 2018 who, along with assistant manager Graham Lancashire, guided Lancaster to safety.