Time of change at Watton United
Watton United in pre-season training. Picture: Paul Woods - Credit: Submitted
Several changes have been put in place at Watton United following the club's annual general meeting (AGM).
The club have reappointed Ian Hunt and David Childerhouse as first-team managers to lead Watton into battle in Division Four of the Almary Green Anglian Combination.
That follows a successful promotion campaign as Watton United Reserves in Division Five last season.
This season the Reserves will be managed by current player Richard Smith, who is hoping to bring a number of youth players through to Saturday football.
His assistants Dave Smith, moving across from last year's Sunday under-19s team, and Paul Rayner, from Watton Veterans, will manage the Reserves in Division Three of the Crown Fire Central and South Norfolk League.
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The changes follow financial troubles at the start of last season, which saw the club's first team drop out of Division Two to try and stabilise the future of the 120-year-old club.
Further changes will see Paul Jones move up from Watton Juniors under-16s to take charge of the Sunday under-19s team, with two new leagues starting this season in the Norwich and District Sunday League under-19 divisions.
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The under-19 league, being run in conjunction with Norfolk FA, is looking encourage the transition from boy's to men's football, and each team can play a maximum of three overage players to assist with the players development. A new management team of Ian Green and Ian Puttock take charge of Watton United Veterans for the first time this season.
Vice-chairman, Paul Woods, added: 'The club would like to thank Chris Nurse and Simon Biddulph who are both stepping down from management roles this season after supporting the club in the last few seasons.'
Pre-season training has now begun at the Watton Sports Centre ground, between 7.30pm and 9pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the club is holding 'signing on day' this Saturday, between 2pm and 5pm, which will include a barbecue and inter-club five-a-side tournament.
Training costs £1, and all new and old players are welcome to attend the grass pitch sessions, but will need their own kit.
n Anyone interested in playing for or helping out the club should email info@wattonunitedfc.co.uk, call Watton Sports Centre on 01953 881281 or visit www.wattonunitedfc.co.uk.
