Willetts hoping Brockworth can continue what they started after late change of management
Brockworth Albion Captain Tom Willetts says the club will pull together and keep going after a change in management just days before the start of the season.
The club confirmed on Monday night that Jamie Martin and Joel White had stepped down from their positions in order to take an opportunity at a higher level – the opportunity turned out to be Hellenic Premier side, Brimscombe & Thrupp.
Willetts and Mark Temple have stepped up to manage Albion in the short-term, as they look to avoid a disrupted start on the pitch.
Speaking to Severn Sport, we asked Willetts if it was a tough decision for him to step forward into management for the short-term.
“I wouldn’t call it a tough decision,” said Willetts. “Obviously it’s very disappointing to hear of the departure, especially so close to the season starting, but I’m hugely passionate and caring about Brockworth and it’s an honour to step in alongside Jossy to support the lads, stabilise, bring us together and get our season started on Saturday,
We have a fantastic group of players that are brilliant to be around, so it’s an amazing feeling to be stepping up to support leading them all forward,” Willetts added.
Brockworth begin their defence of the Reg Davis Cup on Saturday, as they head to Bibury, before a tough start to their Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One campaign – including games against Longlevens Reserves, Whaddon United and Tredworth Tigers in their opening six league fixtures.
With such a busy start, Willetts admits it was important to have familiar faces step in and take the side and says Brockworth’s ability to keep going shows just how special the club is.
“Without a doubt it was important to have familiar faces step in and I’m hopeful it will help the current squad pull together and keep working on what we have started across pre season.
Brockworth is a proper football club and it has people across all levels of the club that are passionate, care and want to succeed. The youth levels are thriving, our 3rds and 2nds continue to develop brilliantly, with good players and we are looking forward to pulling the entire club together and I’m sure we can continue to build a strong First team,” Willetts said.
As mentioned, Willetts and Temple will be in charge for the short-term to begin with, and Willetts says Brockworth’s targets haven’t changed, despite the news.
“In the short term, we will look to bring the lads together, start our season as strong as possible and work on challenging at the top end of the league – this hasn’t changed throughout pre-season at all.
The ambition is and will remain to be challenging on all fronts, working hard & being a great football side,” Willetts said.
Brockworth Albion head to Bibury on Saturday 3 August in the GNSL Reg Davis Cup First Round; kick off 15:00
