Alfredians thrashed after boss's exit

The second-from-bottom Alfredians were routed after Cattell, pictured, stood down this week following their 1-0 reverse to EVO-STIK Southern League Division One South & West leaders Hereford last weekend.

Cattell, who took up the post as player-manager in November 2015 on an interim basis before being installed permanently, explained his decision to resign to www.oxfordmail.co.uk before his number two Ben Sadler took charge as caretaker for Saturday's heavy defeat at Alfredian Park.

The former Aylesbury United, Didcot Town, Oxford City and Witney United defender who was an apprentice at Wycombe Wanderers after being spotted by Southampton, said: “It was a decision taken with a very heavy heart. It’s not something I just did overnight, it’s something I’ve had to think long and hard about.

“I’ve been at the club for six years, closing in on seven, so it’s been a big part of my life. But I just felt it was probably best for the club if I stepped away. It wasn’t something I wanted to do. In the last couple of weeks we’ve lost three or four players and we just couldn’t replace them. I’ve tried without any luck to find suitable replacements but I just didn’t have the time to do it anymore.”

He added: “It’s always been a struggle to bring in players of the necessary standard. Whenever we unearth a good player they’re poached by someone else and it’s very hard to replace them. Hopefully this will give the chance to someone else, who maybe has a few more contacts and can build a team."

Image courtesy of www.oxfordmail.co.uk

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