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Growing Gains

Growing Gains

GIVEN that an orchard is a place given over to cultivation, there is a certain amount of nominative determinism about the Yellows’ new first-team coach.   Steve Orchard – Tiverton born and bred – has been given the task by manager Rob Dray of helping prepare the first-team for their Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South and Devon Challenge Cup campaigns.   He is also enthused by the club’s focus on becoming firmly embedded at the heart of the community that he knows so well.   He said: “I think your ambition is to always coach or manage at the highest possible level and I've known Rob Dray for about 15 years now, so when I had a conversation with him, I thought it was a great chance to come under his wing a bit.   “Obviously he's won this league and to improve the knowledge I've got already and add to it was a big factor”.  “After talking to [vice-chairman] Matt Conridge, I'm massive on the community and the plans they have been put in place for now and in the future are brilliant”.   “Really, for me, it was important that the town got someone got someone who is part of the town and born in the town to be part of the football club. That was a major factor.”   Steve’s extensive playing cv contains the names of England Under-18s, Torquay, Weston-super-Mare, Bideford, Willand, Bridgwater, Cullompton and Elmore, the latter two who he also managed, earning plaudits for his coaching prowess.   He said: “I’ve played under so many different managers. I think what you have to do is take little bits from each of them and try and get your own identity from that”.   “I've been very fortunate to have played under people that have been successful. I've played for Rob Dray, Craig Laird, Sean Joyce, Scott Rogers and Russell Jee. I've played under some very successful managers in the local area and you take little bits and add your own ideas as well.   “The biggest influence on both my playing and coaching career so far is former Tiverton manager and local legend Mike Southcott. Without his guidance and support, I wouldn't be where I am today.”   The club’s desire to build stronger links to the community and create opportunities for youngsters to play for the first team was appealing to Steve.   “This is my main reason for joining the club at this stage,” he said. “I was a manager, I've joined as a first team coach and, if we can get better links with the Under-18s, try and get some boys involved in the first team, that's massive.   “We have to give the boys the opportunities sometimes. They don't get the chances and they just need that. I will be pushing from my position to give the chances to youngsters and see how they get on. But it's not just the Under 18s – there's Twyford Spartans, Moors and Culm Sampford.   “I'd love to go in and work with their coaches and do a few sessions or try to build stronger links with them. So, for me, it's not just the 18s, it's the whole town”.   “Let's get this town back together again and let's get Tiverton feeling proud of this football club and the football club being proud of being in this town.   “Let's get this community feel back. Let's get the supporters back In, watching the game and having that link to people as part of the football club they know, so, when they come down here, we're all together and all on the same page.”

The Hungerford Game

The Hungerford Game

Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South Hungerford Town v Tiverton Town Saturday, November 2 . Bulpit Lane . 3pm MUCH of the build-up has focused on the appointment of Rob Dray as men’s first-team manager, but now we turn our attention to this weekend's trip to Hungerford.   Because of the four points achieved by interim managers Asa Hall and Niall Thompson in their two games in charge, not only have we edged out of the relegation places but ,if we could get a positive outcome from this one, we would pass our hosts on the stairs.   For that to happen, it will not only need the players to quickly adjust to the new management team and vice versa, but also for them to maintain the levels and energy that were so prominent in Hall and Thompson’s stewardship.   Mike Baker has been a long-term absentee and both he and Niall Thompson will be injury doubts for this Saturday’s game in Berkshire. Back into contention will come Theo Jeremy, who was missing against Poole due to a prior commitment.   The squad members will be eager to impress the new coaching team and it will feel like a fresh start for some players who did not get the game-time they would have liked previously. This is Hungerford boss Danny Robinson’s fifth season in command at the Crusaders and it was his impressive five-year stint at Thatcham Town that persuaded the club’s hierarchy to bring Robinson to Bulpit Lane.   Robinson was dealt a blow when, just a few days before the campaign began, last season’s top scorer Conor McDonough had to undergo minor knee surgery. In his absence, the Crusaders have relied upon the quick-footed attacking midfielder Elis Watts for a large share of their goals. He has eight of the 23 they have scored in the division. Watts is an exciting talent who was part of Weston-super-Mare’s promotion-winning squad in the 2022-23 season, and the 22 year-old Welshman was briefly a professional with Newport County as well as playing in the National League for Aldershot Town.   The pacy Dawid Regula also appears to have an eye for goal. The early-season capture from Larkhall has notched four from the eight games he has played for Tomorrow’s hosts.   The experienced James Harding is yet to really fire, but has the pedigree to be amongst the scorers. Enigmatic Brazilian Alefe Santos, who briefly returned to Poole after a spell with the Yellows, appears to have found regular football again with the Crusaders. The attacking midfielder, who memorably arrived with Joe Parker from Gloucester City, was a pro with Bristol Rovers and Yeovil.   There is plenty of experience and quality in the squad for manager Robinson to call on and none more so than Hungerford’s No. 1 Ryan Clarke, who made more than 200 EFL appearances, mainly for Oxford United, but also can count Bristol Rovers, Kidderminster Harriers and Southend United as other clubs he represented in the EFL. The veteran custodian is 42 now and was a fan favourite at Bath City between 2018- 2023.   In his sixth consecutive season with the Berkshire club, Matt Berry-Hargreaves is a central defender who is popular with the Crusaders faithful. The ball playing Hargreaves signed pro forms with Oxford United in the 2015-16 season. Winger Zidan Akers has turned out for a whole host of Southern League Premier South sides and is gifted with plenty of technical ability.   A new dawn beckons for the Yellows in Rob Dray's first game in the dugout. Joining him will be his backroom staff – assistant manager Connor Sidley-Adams and coach Steve Orchard – and we wish all of them well.   There was an abundance of attacking intent when Tivvy last took to the field, with Joe Parker being closely supported by Tor Swann and Evander Grubb.   It will be intriguing to see how we set up under the new management team and what position they choose to play Dylan Jones. He has played in a number of different positions this term – all to good effect – and we will look to build on the little bit of momentum that has been created.

Bringing on Back the Good Times

Bringing on Back the Good Times

TIVVY assistant manager Connor Sidley-Adams is determined to help restore pride and success to the Yellows.   Connor has resumed a partnership with new gaffer Rob Dray that spawned plenty of success at Taunton Town and wants to replicate that at Ladysmead, although he realises that first base is stabilising a club that is too close for comfort to the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South.   Connor said: “Now’s the time for us to bring the good times back. We are very aware of the history of the club, the fantastic FA Vase successes that the club have had. Ultimately we want to bring that success back to Tiverton Town, although survival and driving up the league is the number one priority.   “I spent three years at Taunton with Rob and we had a great time there, creating some wonderful memories in winning the Southern League Premier Division and getting to the first round of the FA Cup.   “Ultimately it’s now our time to bring that to Tiverton Town and bring that success to the town and the club.   “We really want to push on up to the higher reaches of this league, but also create that national success in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy in taking us to the next level.”   Impressively, the new management team have come into the Ian Moorcroft Stadium and hit the ground running. It helps, of course, that Connor and Rob know each other’s ethos well.   “The thing that’s clear is we’ve got the same kind of philosophy when it comes to football,” said Connor. “We know that all the players are people first and we believe in having a person-before-player environment.   “We know that, in non-League football, lot of them are not full-time professionals. In terms of their roles, we realise that they’ve got a lot going on and we’ll try to bring the best out of them on training nights and match-days.”   After the hurly burly of arriving in a new environment, Connor was delighted to get on the grass with the first-team squad on Thursday night ahead of their visit to Hungerford Town on Saturday. First impressions were more than favourable.   He said: “It's a huge club, fantastic history, fantastic fan base and there's a great group of lads here. That togetherness is clear to see – a really close-knit, tight group of players, which is brilliant to walk into. It's an unbelievable set-up, so we're looking forward to get going.   “We had an excellent little session with the boys. They were really at it and we laid out some core principles of how we want to play, what we want to look like going forward, and they’ve bought into that already. Ultimately we want to get going on Saturday at 3pm  and, when we cross that white line, we’ll be ready to go and win.”

Staff of Life

Staff of Life

NEW Tivvy manager Rob Dray has wasted no time at all in assembling a strong and familiar backroom team ahead of this weekend’s Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South visit to Hungerford Town.   Long-time assistant Connor Sidley-Adams will again be his right-hand man; former Cullompton manager Steve Orchard is first-team coach; and Tony Cornish, another tried and trusted colleague, joins Rob as physio.   “It’s really important to get that right,” said Rob. “I like to have good people around me who I've worked with before and I trust and who have experience of the level we play at  and the levels above because that's ideally what we're trying to get to over a period of time – it's not going to happen overnight, as we're all aware.   “I’ve known Connor for a long time, and Tony, who is very well respected, very experienced and who, really, was overqualified for Taunton. He’s a really, really good physio and someone I trust. He gets the lads back fit, gets them back quick. When they are injured, and that's what we need.   “I have known Steve for a number of years and he'll be a good fit. It's the next step for him, if you like.”   With his staff in place, Rob’s thoughts now turn to boosting the playing squad, who trained for the first time under the new management team on Thursday night, although that was not the first contact between the two parties.   Rob said: “I’ve had lots of chats to players, speaking to the squad, giving them a brief overview of expectations and what we're going to do, just making sure they're aware of that, being respectful of everybody and having a chat with them.   “I’ve been talking to a lot of potential new players, talking to clubs, talking to agents. It's been quite busy.   “There are three areas, three players that we're talking to at the moment that we're going to be in a position where we're going to make offers to.”

Dray by Dray

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."

Committee Delighted to be Robbed

Committee Delighted to be Robbed

IN appointing Rob Dray as the new Tiverton Town manager, the club is sure they have laid an important foundation stone for Tivvy's future - on and off the field. "We really believe that Rob is the man to take us forward and lead us into the next phase of this club's history," said Yellows' vice-chairman Matthew Conridge. Rob takes over from Leigh Robinson, who he also succeeded at Taunton Town six years ago before leading the Peacocks' to their highest ever league position. Impressive as that was, the Tiverton Committee also admired the way he helped improve the Somerset club in all departments. Matthew said: "Rob has taken a team from this level, built it slowly, but surely with a strong foundation, and taken them higher. "We've got our own long-term plans on what we want to do with this football club, a lot of which will be announced in the coming months, and Rob buys into what we're trying to do in the long term. "He has a proven track record at our level and has had success at a high level, as well. He knows this level of football; he knows this area; he has some really strong links, not only with a lot of the local clubs, but also with some of the professional clubs in the region. "He has a really well thought-out plan, not only what he would do in the short term, but also in the medium term and the long term as well, so there's a great deal to be excited about, to be enthused about." Rob inherits a team that has a win and a draw from its last two Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South games, for which senior pros Asa Hall and Niall Thompson were in charge. Matthew said: "A big thank you to Asa, Niall, Conor Smith and Richard Sleep for steadying the ship over the last two weeks. It's been thoroughly enjoyable to see the lads playing, perhaps with their shackles off a little bit, playing some really exciting attacking football, and they've given Rob a much firmer foundation now to build upon. "Rob also brings a really strong backroom team with him, people who we feel will be really positive for the future. "So, all of the signs point in the direction of us being able to sustainably build a strong football club, starting with what's happening on the pitch. "But football is constant and there's no time to settle; there's no time to take the foot off the gas. The lads will be in this week with Rob and they need to be ready to go against Hungerford on Saturday, which will be a tough away trip.”

Dray One

Dray One

TIVERTON Town are delighted to announce Rob Dray as their new manager. Rob, 55, brings a wealth of experience to the role in succession to Leigh Robinson, who left the club by mutual agreement on October 17. He spent six seasons in charge of Yellows' local Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South rivals Taunton Town, bringing the Peacocks unprecedented success during his time in charge. That halcyon spell came to an end last season and a short pre-season spell under Jerry Gill at National League South Bath City followed before his appointment at Ladysmead. Rob had been part of Taunton's management team since 2016, joining as coach following spells as manager of Bridgwater Town and assistant manager at Bideford. He was promoted to interim manager in September 2018 - coincidentally following in the studmarks of Leigh Robinson - and shortly afterwards became Head of Football. His first season was nothing short of sensational, guiding the Peacocks to runners-up spot in their memorable first season in the Southern Premier League. In his six years at Wordsworth Drive, he developed a style of football and mentality that lifted Taunton to new heights. His successful reign came to an end last season when Taunton decided not to renew his contract following their relegation from National League South, of which they had been top earlier in the campaign. Despite a financial crisis that saw large numbers of players leave and fixture chaos caused by a too-often waterlogged pitch, Rob came close to pulling off what would have been a miracle escape. Welcome to the Ian Moorcroft Stadium, Rob.

Galvanised Yellows Savour Win

Galvanised Yellows Savour Win

Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South   Tiverton Town 3 (Parker 8, Swann 20, Wright 86) Poole Town 1 (De Luca 90)   Saturday, October 26 . Ian Moorcroft Stadium . 3pm   BLUE skies greeted the teams as they arrived at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium for this one. Despite last Saturday's rousing draw, the Yellows started the day in the bottom four of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South; Poole, on the other hand, were ten places higher up the table in ninth.   Asa Hall and Niall Thompson, in charge as the search for a permanent managerial appointment gathers pace, will have been fully aware that any lessening of the standards they set against Sholing could result in a difficult afternoon against the Dolphins.   Tor Swann took a starting place at the expense of Kai Churchley; Dylan Jones took a central position in Tiverton’s midfield; and Hall played alongside Josh Jones in the heart of the Yellows’ defence.   The team were quick out of the blocks and Evander Grubb, continuing where he left off from last Saturday, was soon into the action. A first effort with barely two minutes played lacked power and was comfortably handled by Cameron Plain in the Poole goal and, another minute into the game, Grubb tried his luck again with a well executed curler that marginally whistled over the visitors’ crossbar.   The Dolphins demonstrated a good passing game from the outset, though it was Tivvy’s pace and purposeful link-up play that was causing alarm in the visitors’ backline and, on eight minutes, a sliding pass played Joe Parker in on goal and his finely struck effort on the half-volley was only partially saved by Plain, who was in the middle of his area, and the ball carried on into the back of the net, ending a personal minor goal drought for the Yellows’ striker. There was an urgency to our play and the positive nature of the strong-running Swann and the probing Grubb combined to excellent effect in support of Parker.    For Poole, the classy James McCarthy was showing an excellent range of passing and Harvey Slade was manoeuvring the ball well further up the field. A fast break, though, led to Tiverton extending their lead, Swann taking the ball into his stride and supplying a composed and clinical finish to beat Poole’s ’keeper on 20 minutes.   The Yellows were the livelier of the teams in that opening part of the game, playing at a faster tempo when in possession and working hard when without the ball, the highly-motivated team responding to the promptings of acting coach Thompson and on-field coach Hall. The latter gave his best performance for Tivvy, organising, encouraging and making many telling interceptions from his centre-back berth, using the ball intelligently and winning many headers.   In the 27th minute, the marauding Swann rolled in the the overlapping and accelerating Dylan Jones. Reaching the edge of the area he screwed his shot just wide of the target.   Down the other end, the Dolphins were growing into the game, with the influential McCarthy giving a passing masterclass.   The Yellows were opened up, but a rifled shot was parried by the intensely observant Zak Baker. This started a period of pressure from the side who play their football at the Blackgold Stadium, the focus of Tivvy’s players stifling the visitors’ attempts to pull one back before the break. A number of blocks, tackles and alert interceptions prevented this from happening.   A fantastic one-handed save low down from Baker to deny McCarthy’s stinging shot was crucial and, just before the first 45 drew to a close, there was a nail-biting moment as he clawed the ball back on his goal-line as the dangerous Tom Hewlett almost reduced arrears. To a man, there was an intensity that is testimony to interim-managers Hall and Thompson and the work ethic that they have instilled in the players, captain Matt Britton and vice-captain Josh Jones relaying this message on the field and leading by example.   Players like Javan Wright covered every blade of grass for the temporary management team; there were strong displays in the engine room from Jeff Forkuo and Dylan Jones; and Bailey Kempster showed his undoubted quality at full-back.   Tiverton were two goals to the good at the interval and deserved to be in front. When the second half began, Hewlett was replaced by Rafa Ramos as the Dolphins looked for a way back into the game.   Predictably, the Dorset side saw more of the ball when we resumed, but the Yellows’ pace and threat on the break always meant we were dangerous when we countered.   Dylan Jones carved out an opportunity all of his own making, wriggling free of his marker and bursting past a few Dolphins with skill and determination before seeing a shot fly across Plain’s goal and fractionally beyond his upright.   Tivvy had to withstand a concerted effort from the visitors in the second period and a golden opportunity for Joe Parker to put the game to bed was uncharacteristically squandered, a defensive error seeing him in the clear, but his shot flew over the bar.   For Poole, a free header for Ramos, an equally presentable chance, cleared the Yellows’ goal and when Toby Holmes got to the bye-line and crossed in, the ball just evaded onrushing Dolphins’ players, much to the relief of our supporters and our team.   Baker then saved well with his feet, down at his post from Josh Staunton in a crowded Tivvy box. Slade then clipped the crossbar after a neat bit of control enabled him to get off a powerful shot. The next goal belonged to the Yellows after a probing run from Parker initially came to Churchley, on as a second-half substitute. His attempted shot rebounded off of a visiting defender and came to Wright with his back to goal on the edge of the box. All in one movement, he swivelled on the turn and his low shot found the corner of Plain’s net - a brilliant technical finish from the industrious Wright.   That goal came in the 86th minute and despite a consolation from Dolphin sub Dario De Luca, it was very much Tiverton’s day at Ladysmead. A very encouraging display as a very much together group of players left the field following this 3-1 victory.   Who knows what the coming days will bring manager wise? But it is impossible not to be impressed by how Asa and Niall have galvanised the team and inspired them to produce two excellent displays in front of their fans.   For this, we need to express our gratitude and applaud their efforts in difficult and challenging circumstances. Whoever fills the current vacancy has had their ship steadied by two people who have definitely risen to the occasion.   We head to Hungerford next Saturday with a united set of players and who knows what next week will bring?   Yellows: Z Baker, Forkuo, Hall, J Jones, Kempster, Britton(c), D Jones, Wright, Grubb (Churchley 60), Swann (Simons 90), Parker (Bernard 90). Substitute (not used): Traynor-Smith.   Attendance: 276.

Three for Five-Star Tivvy

Three for Five-Star Tivvy

TIVVY's interim management team of Asa Hall and Niall Thompson inspired Yellows to only their third win of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South season and a second successive match unbeaten since they took over from Leigh Robinson. A week after the exciting 3-3 home draw with Sholing, Tivvy again rang in a triple, beating Poole Town 3-1 thanks to goals from Joe Parker, the recalled Tor Swann, and Javan Wright. The victory took Town out of the relegation zone and club captain Niall, who did not play because of injury, said: "Brilliant game, brilliant performance. The boys just battled and played some unbelievable football on a tough pitch. Couldn't be prouder of them. We've just come together; they've come to training on Tuesday and built what we did on Tuesday into today. Took everything on board. Asa, who controlled the game from midfield and was named player of the match, agreed. "Couldn't ask for any more," he said. "Obviously last week was a difficult week so we had to galvanise the team and put an effort in. We could have got something [more] out of last week, but this week we've worked hard and the boys have really turned up. "Everything we could have asked for. They've worked hard; they've outbattled; they've outran; they've kept the ball. We've played exciting football and we could have scored more goals, so really proud of them and I think we fully deserve that." Focus off the field now turns to the appointment of a permanent successor to Leigh. Niall said: "Obviously, we don't know what's going to happen in the week or next couple of weeks. But the boys have got to take confidence in that [result]. We showed that we can compete. We showed against a lot of teams that we can compete this year." Asa said: "We set some standards and I think that's got to be the minimum now that we ask from them. Whoever's in charge or whatever happens at the club, everyone has to buy into it. And, hopefully this is the start of a good run."

Determined to Do Well

Determined to Do Well

Pitching In Southern League, Premier Division South   Tiverton Town v Poole Town  Saturday, October 26 . Ian Moorcroft Stadium, Ladysmead . 3pm    WITH the Yellows’ search for a new manager fully underway, player/coach Asa Hall and Niall Thompson will once again take the team this weekend. The scintillating 3-3 draw at home to Sholing last Saturday provided excellent entertainment for the fans and, despite not pulling us out of the relegation places, it did demonstrate a determination from the players to give their all and try to turn things around.    The game was marked by a terrific home debut from recent signing Evander Grubb, whose two goals were vital. It also saw the return of the influential Dylan Jones; playing in a more advanced role in the Sholing game, it was a timely boost to have him available for selection again.  Both teams’ early elimination from the Isuzu FA Trophy means this fixture has been moved from midweek to the weekend. Our visitors come to the Ian Moorcroft Stadium fresh from an away success at Frome and find themselves in ninth place in the table, having gathered 19 points from the 12 games played.     There is a substantial amount of experience in the Dolphin’s ranks. None more so than evergreen defender and captain Jamie Whisken. In his 12th unbroken season at the club, 37-year-old Whisken should reach the impressive feat of 500 games for Poole during this campaign. Combative midfielder Billy Lowes, for many years a favourite at Dorset rivals Dorchester, started a second spell nine years after his first one with the Dolphins in the previous campaign.    Versatile defender and former Yeovil captain Josh Staunton has a wealth of non-League pedigree, with Dagenham & Redbridge, Boreham Wood and FC Halifax also on his CV. Cameron Plain is Poole’s regular No. 1 this term. An Academy ’keeper at Bournemouth, he signed pro terms with the Cherries and, following his release in the summer, Poole moved quickly to secure his services.    Toby Holmes, a regular accumulator of goals in this standard of football, has been leading the line   for Saturday’s visitors this term and the capture early season of Rafa Ramos from Salisbury means there is depth to Poole’s firepower, the powerful and skilful hitman starring against us for Gosport Borough when they came to Tiverton earlier in the year.  The team who play at the BlackGold Stadium are managed by Steve Tully, who enjoyed a long and fruitful playing career, making more than 350 appearances for Exeter City and Torquay United. Starting his coaching career with Truro City as Player/Manager, he won promotion to National League South with the Cornishmen and also took up senior roles in both Plymouth’s and Bristol Rover’s Academies before becoming Poole’s manager during last season following the departure of Matt Tubbs.  Both teams will be looking to climb the table for very different reasons. All three points could take the Yellows out of the bottom four, whereas a win here for the Dolphins will see them start to home in on a play-off place.     Our response to adversity was an excellent one when we played Sholing and, if we can maintain those levels, we will once again be competitive.    This game may come too soon for the injured Thompson and Mike Baker. However, Tor Swann has been building up game time as he looks to reach full fitness.     Jay Murray has decided to join Western League Portishead and we wish the popular and talented midfielder well at his new club.    In this period of transition for Tivvy, it is important that everyone pulls together - the players, the staff and the supporters - much like they did last Saturday. The support was magnificent in our previous home game and I know how that was appreciated by the players.     So let’s come out in force and get behind the team.

Pooling Resources

Pooling Resources

SENIOR pros Asa Hall and Niall Thompson will again be in charge of Tiverton Town for their home Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South game against Poole Town this weekend as the search for a new Yellows’ manager gathers momentum.   The deadline for applications to succeed Leigh Robinson passed this week and the club is now working through those expressions of interest with the intention of having someone in post in time for their visit to Hungerford Town on November 2.   Town Vice-Chairman Matthew Conridge said: “ The Committee has been impressed by the strength of the applications and we are working through them.   “It is vital that we make the right appointment, so we will not rush into a hasty decision. The person who leads our football club needs not only to be a quality football person but also a club individual who reflects our values and vision for the future.   “The manager who we appoint will embrace the whole community, become the figurehead of our club, and help us achieve some of our long-term goals – not merely our first-team coach.” Asa and Niall took the reins of the first team in the wake of the mutually agreed decision for the club and Leigh and his assistant Ben Gerring to part company last week and steered the Yellows to a 3-3 Premier Division South home draw with Sholing. “We were delighted with the performance under the leadership of Asa and Niall following a traumatic week,” said Matthew, “and we know, from what the supporters have told us, they were also very pleased." In pursuit of their long-term ambitions for Town, the Committee is seeking a Commercial Manager and a Match-Day Videographer to join their off-field team. For further details, please email contact@tivertontownfc.co.uk .   Matthew said: “Any supporters who would like to get involved in building a club of which everyone in the town, in the county, in the South West, can be proud, please get in touch with us. If you want to help, we can find a role for you.”

Jay's Away

Jay's Away

JAY Murray has left Tivvy. The utility player came to Ladysmead on the eve of the current Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South season and proved popular around the dressing-room and on the terraces. He came to the Ian Moorcroft Stadium after turning out for Bridgwater Town and Taunton Town in 2023-24 and previously spent two seasons at Weston-super-Mare, where he was a member of the Seagulls' squad that won promotion to the Vanarama National League South. Although first-team starts for us were somewhat irregular, Jay never gave anything but his all, most notably when he slotted in at an unfamiliar right-back position after coming off the substitutes' bench in the FA Trophy tie against Dorchester and went on to win player of the match accolades. We thank Jay for all he did for us and wish the very best in his next endeavour.

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