Dray by Dray

NEW Tiverton Town manager Rob Dray is determined to help bring back the good times to Ladysmead.

Rob has taken charge of Yellows following a super successful spell at Tivvy's Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South rivals Taunton Town and wants to do similar to the Ian Moorcroft Stadium.

He not only took the Peacocks to previously only-dreamed-of heights but also installed a playing style and club ethos that significantly raised standards.

That did not go unnoticed by Tiverton chairman Ian Moorcroft and vice-chairman Matthew Conridge, who are keen to see Yellows become a true community club with a successful men's first-team as its figurehead

"I was certainly sold the idea and the vision by Matt and by Ian and the rest of the Committee," said Rob.

"My contract wasn't renewed at Taunton last season; I then had a brief spell at Bath during pre-season. So I've been looking to get back into things as soon as possible and it happened really quickly.

"I think it's just really good synchronicity in a lot of respects for where I am now; what I want to achieve; and where the club is going in the next few years.

"The history is fantastic; the set-up here in the club is really, really good; the infrastructure and everything else is very exciting. It's only going to go a long way with some things that will happening in the next couple of years.

"It's a big club and to build something again here is a great opportunity for me.

"I've had some great battles with Tiverton and now the boot's on the other foot, as it were."

Rob takes charge of a side that has accrued four points from two games under the interim management of senior pros Asa Hall and Niall Thompson, with a trip to Hungerford on Saturday, November 2 the first red-ringed date on the calendar.

"Asa and Niall have been absolutely fantastic in the last two games," said Rob, "and the players

have done very well.

"There's some good players here. If I haven't managed them, then I know of them. Myself and the back-room staff have started prepping already. I had the game watched on Saturday, someone was up there for me, so I'm well aware of what they're about.

"It's obviously been a bit of a frustrating season in some respects but I think you've got to look at the last two games and I think the lads have done really, really well."