Pitchero Non League

Max Huxley

,,,Britton and Gary Brown as they attempt to raise morale at the club.

Despite finishing second last season, Oldland were denied promotion by league chiefs because they did not have requisite facilities, including floodlighting, in place by the March 31st deadline.

Boss Spencer Thomas quit as a result of the blow last week and established performers such as Matt Huxley (now Weston-super-Mare), Simon Bryant, Dan Bryant, Justin Cartledge and keeper Nick Yeo have all followed him out of the exit door in recent days, while others contemplate their futures.

In further changes at Aitchison Playing Fields, Oldland have called upon Bob Clarke, who once enjoyed more than two decades as player and reserve-team manager at local rivals Cadbury Heath, as new chairman in place of Rob Boyd, who has stepped down due to work commitments.

Clarke explained: "We had numerous applications, but we decided to offer the role to Paul and Gary due to the fact they have good local connections and experience with Mangotsfield United`s reserve side and Longwell Green.

"It will be a tough challenge for them because clearly we have lost a hard core of players you need to get out of this league.

"Many who have left felt cheated that they had got us into a promotion position but were denied the chance to play Premier Division football because our facilities weren't ready in time.

"Matt Huxley did go with our blessing, but he has at least signed for Weston on a dual-registration basis. He has been a brilliant servant to Oldland and his goals record is phenomenal.

"The good news is we could have our floodlights in place by the start of the new season, now the funding is all but there.

"Although we are initially looking to stabilise things, we are looking to build for a successful future and, hopefully, Paul and Gary, with the help of our assistant manager Martin Cutler, will be the men to get us there."

Tags: News | Oldland Abbotonians

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