CHARD Town FC manager Paul Down is to step down from his post at the end of the season, to be replaced by Jamie Manley, writes Colin Dunford.

In a fast-moving situation at the weekend, Chard Town chairman Lyndsay Gage announced the changes while thanking Down for doing a "fabulous job".

Down, who lives in Shaftesbury, said: "I leave Chard with great memories and, I believe, in a much healthier position than when I took over.

"I don't have anything lined up for next season and that was not the reason I stepped down.

"It would have been difficult for me to continue for another season, with no promotion or FA competition games to play.

"I think it is vital the ground situation is concluded to enable the next manager to achieve these targets.

"It has been a pleasure and honour to have managed Chard Town FC; I wish them every success in the future."

Chard chairman Lyndsay Gage was full of praise for the retiring manager, saying: "Paul came at a time when the club was at it lowest ebb and has done a fabulous job in putting a competitive side out on the pitch.

"We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude."

The players are due to be introduced to their new management team tomorrow night.

Jamie Manley, aged 42, spent 14 years at Sherborne and captained the side for many seasons.

He started as a YTS player with Yeovil Town and then played for Chard, Bridport and Gillingham in the Western League.

Manley replaced Mickey Spencer as player manager in November 2011 and, in the 2012/13 season, led Sherborne back into the Premier Division of the Western League as champions of the First Division.

As a result, he won the manager of the year award as well as leading Sherborne to runners-up spot in the Dorset Senior trophy.

Manley, who lives in Yeovil, left Sherborne in 2016.

Chard & Ilminster News:

NEW MAN: Jamie Manley.

He will bring with him as assistant Kevin Leigh, a previous manager at Sherborne.

Leigh was also assistant to Bob Russell for five years in the late '90s, when Chard were in the Premier Division of the Western League.

He has also been No 2 at Bridport to Trevor Senior for two-and-a-half years, manager of Westland Sports and assistant to Manley at Sherborne, where they finished the highest ever league position in their history.

Manley played under Leigh at Chard and Sherborne, and he described him as "superb, with a top drawer football knowledge".

"We work well together and I can't wait to get started," he added.

Chard are also to restart an Under-18s side in the Somerset Floodlight League next season, under the watchful eye of Garry Perren, who ran Taunton Tigers Under-16s in the Yeovil Youth League this season.

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Toolstation Western League
First Division
Chard Town 0, Chippenham Park 1

A LATE goal from visitors Chippenham Park gave them the three points on Saturday.

With neither side able to master the hard ground conditions, and in baking temperatures, it resulted in a typical end of season match.

Early scoring chances fell to Chard, and the Robins should have gone ahead when, following a foul on the edge of the box, Oliver Pearson's powerful free-kick was pushed out by Sam Thompson to Matt Howell, who fired the rebound just over the bar.

Both sides endeavoured to push forward but neither forward line could produce the required finish with the game goalless at half time.

Injuries to Steve Friend and Andy Holmes saw substitutes Liam Cleal and Taoufik Ben-Salem on either side of the break, but Chard could not produce that elusive goal.

For their part Chippenham Park pressed forward and an effort on 55 minutes was cleared off the goalline by defender Kieran Bailey.

Chard dealt with this pressure but, just as it looked like the game was going into stalemate, the visitors got the vital goal nine minutes from time.

The best move of the game and a good run down the left flank saw the ball crossed to Jamie Norman, who scored with a first-time shot, giving ‘keeper Jon Hill no chance.

This was not going to be Chard’s day as, with a changed formation and line-up, they could not produce their recent good form.

Chard: Jonathan Hill, Patrick Golden, Oliver Pearson, Andrew Holmes (Taoufik Ben-Salem 52) Ben Haines, Kieran Bailey, David Durate (Ryan Parris 70), Matthew Howell, Jack Dicker, Stephen Friend (Liam Cleal 40) James Boyland. Sub not used: Max Westlake.

Chard play their penultimate league game of the season tomorrow (and Down's second last game in charge), at home to Almondsbury UWE (ko 7.30pm).