Rod was appointed as Rugby Town's first team manager in January 2008 after Billy Jeffrey's resignation.

Rod played professional football in the Scottish League for Dundee United, Brechin City and Abroath - clocking up more than 150 appearances before moving across the border in the late 1980's, where he played for Gloucester City and Forest Green until injury prematurely ended his playing career in 1991.

He began his managerial career at Halesowen Harriers in 1994, and in the subsequent years has achieved consistent levels of success at his clubs - including five promotions. He led Stourport Swifts into the Southern League in 2000, and then Redditch United into the Conference structure four years later. He took his most recent club - Bromsgrove Rovers - up into the Southern League Premier Division at the end of last season, but left the Victoria Ground in November.

Rod claimed his first win in his second game in charge - a 1-0 Errea Cup 4th Round win over Bedford Town at Butlin Road which followed a 2-0 reverse at league leaders King's Lynn in his first game.

Rod's first league win with Rugby came at the fifth attempt with a 2-1 win away at Cirencester Town in February 2008.