New boss is a man on a mission

Appointed this week after acting as caretaker since Ian Saunders switched to the EVO-STIK League Southern's South & West Division on the eve of the new season to manage Winchester City, Neal takes his side to Potters Bar Town on Saturday after being handed the post on a permanent basis.

Petersfield Town chairman Graeme Moir is backing former reserve team boss Neal, pictured, who is now concentrating his efforts at The Love Lane Stadium on improving the coaching and playing staff for the season ahead.

The Rams chairman also told the local media this week that he is prepared to give his new manager time to succeed in the EVO-STIK League Southern Central Division with the club fourth from bottom heading into the weekend.

He told the petersfieldpost.co.uk: “We have conducted a thorough process to recruit a new manager and Andy is the ideal candidate for the job. He has worked tirelessly since Ian left to keep things together and now he will have the chance to bring in new players and restructure the coaching team.

“He knows the club inside out and he is fully aware of what the talented youngsters in the reserves are capable of too. In some ways we are having to start our season again and it may feel like we are going through pre-season for a few weeks.

“However, the key thing for this club this season is to retain our Southern League status and that is what everyone is working towards now at Love Lane."

Saunders brought to end a successful four-year reign at the Rams a week before the new season kicked off. During his tenure he won the Wessex Division One and Premier Division titles in successive seasons in 2014 and 2015 to earn promotion to the EVO-STIK League Southern.

Image courtesy of hoppingaroundhampshire.blogspot.com