O'Keefe forced to stand down

The Stevenage academy manager stepped down at Rowley Park on Tuesday, four months after teaming up with Andy Davies as a joint management team in May.

O’Keefe, who has not been present at any of the club's first five fixtures in the EVO-STIK League Southern Premier Division, cited personal reasons for his decision to relinquish his role for the foreseeable future.

Saints officials say Davies, who took over as interim boss last season following the resignation of David Batch in January and guided the club to safety in the EVO-STIK League Southern's top flight, will continue as sole manager after leading them to three victories so far this season, the last a 2-0 success at Weymouth on Saturday.

To fill the gap left by O'Keefe's departure, Lee Clarke has been named as number two to Davies. Recent arrival Jason Dale is the club's new first team coach.

St Neots chairman Lee Kearns has told Saints fans he hopes O’Keefe may return and director of football Iain Parr said: "We have been in contact with Robbie constantly over the last few weeks and were made aware quite early that Robbie had his hands full with a family issue.

"We have offered our full support and will continue to leave the door open for Robbie. We will continue to work with him in his capacity as Stevenage FC academy manager."

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