The arrival of a new management team at Budleigh Salterton will herald the beginning of a fresh era at Greenway Lane.
Former Exmouth Town Reserves manager Chris ‘Curly’ Watts will be joint-manager of the Robins alongside Simon Pearce after the pair worked together with East Budleigh Seconds last season.
It is a massive adventure and opportunity for Pearce and Watts, who have already begun their planning for a busy pre-season, starting next week.
“The job was quite unexpected in the way it came about,” said Watts. “I was a player at East Budlegih, where Simon was the manager, but a back injury meant I spent most of this season on the sidelines working with Simon.
“We found that we worked together well, even with limited resources, but when Simon asked me to come on board for the Budleigh Salterton job, I did take some persuading after a slightly sour experience with Exmouth Town Seconds.
“Simon convinced me and we’re both really excited for a big job in local football. We know the club, the facilities, my lad has played for their youth team and I know people at the club.
“The Devon Football League is packed with good clubs and exciting games, teams like Exmouth Town Reserves and Topsham Town, clubs with a good history.
“We want to give the young lads a chance to prove they can perform at this level and for them to grow with us, but we’ve also brought in a few players we know can do a job.
“The combination of youth and experience works at any club and I spoke at length with club captain Simon Withers, who explained that there are good young players at Budleigh Salterton but they needed a strong mindset alongside them.
“We are back for a gentle get-together on June 23, a chance for us to meet the lads, and then proper fitness and team shape starts the following week.
“Our pre-season schedule is virtually finalised, opening with Brixham Reserves, Ottery St Mary away, hopefully Dawlish at Coach Road, Axminster at home, Otterton at home and the last friendly, also at home, against Lyme Regis.”