Saunders Raring To Go At Petersfield

Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division One club Petersfield Town’s new manager Ian Saunders says he is.......

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Published 30th May 2012

......raring to go in his quest to bring a new successful era to the club.

Saunders is aiming to bring the club’s thirty-year silverware drought to an end during his time in charge at Love Lane.

This is Saunders’ first full-time appointment as a manager but he has a CV packed with qualifications and experience at a number of high profile non-League clubs.

The 36-year-old can’t wait for the new season to get started though and after only five days in the job, his mobile has been red hot with calls about new signings and pre-season friendlies.

“I’m over the moon to be here,” said Saunders. “This is a well-respected club and I have spoken to a lot of people about Petersfield and no one has a bad word to say about the club.

“For my first full-time manager’s job it is great to be given a chance at a club that has facilities as good as there are here and we will also be in the FA Cup and FA Vase.

“The coaching staff coming in with me will make my job a lot easier as they have lots of football experience as well.”

Jason Hampson has been appointed as Saunders’ assistant-manager and Shaun Hale will be coming in as coach in the first-team set-up.

Saunders` playing career has seen him play for the likes of Tiverton Town, Liskeard Athletic, Fleet Town, Brockenhurst, Chichester City, Wick and East Preston. But throughout his playing days he has also helped out with the coaching at his clubs.

The UEFA B licensed coach helped Liskeard to the semi-finals of the FA Vase and last season he was player/assistant-manager at Midhurst & Easebourne.

Saunders added: “Petersfield is a great community club and there is a great youth set up here.

“We will be putting together a squad which will make Petersfield very competitive in the league.

“We will be looking to push on towards the top end of the table and if we get some favourable draws in the FA Cup and FA Vase we will look to push on there as well.

“A decent blend of experience and young players is normally a good recipe for success.

“It would be great when the team does well to see more people coming through the gates to support the club as well.”

Chairman Graeme Moir is delighted with the appointment of Saunders as the new first-team manager. He added: “We had a number of excellent candidates who applied for the job and I am delighted to have Ian on board as manager.

“He has so much enthusiasm for the game and lots of experience and contacts which I’m hoping Petersfield will benefit from.

“Ian has a very bright future ahead of him as a manager and I am delighted that he is starting this part of his footballing career with us. We are all confident Ian will do well here at Love Lane.”