6:00am Thursday 9th July 2009
By Iain Liddle
Football: Devizes Town manager Kevin Whitbread believes the club’s new structure will help them move forward and eradicate the painful memories of last season’s relegation.
The Nursteed Road side suffered a dismal 2008/09 campaign in which they won just five league games and finished bottom of the Toolstation Premier League.
The club has undergone a series of changes since then however with Shaun Moffat, who co-managed the first team last season, taking over the chairman’s position from Andy Trusler, with Simon Drewitt becoming assistant manager after a spell in charge of the reserves.
“Shaun is looking to introduce a few things,” said Whitbread.
“There is stuff going on behind the scenes to ensure everybody knows their role at the club.
“Hopefully it will be a bit more organised than last season.
“Simon has played in the Western League for most of his career and is very knowledgeable about most of the clubs. I definitely think he’ll be a good addition.”
Manager’s son Craig Whitbread has also moved from U16 boss to take over the reserve side and named Mark Surman as his assistant.
Devizes had their first pre-season training session on Tuesday evening but top goalscorer Adam Giles and former captain Kev Bush were absent, having signed for Malmesbury Victoria for the coming season.
Whitbread’s side will begin their Toolstation First Division campaign with a trip to Westbury United on Saturday August 8. They entertain Gillingham Town on Tuesday August 11 in their opening home game.
Devizes, who travel to Peasedown Athletic for their first friendly on Saturday, are again looking for a new football secretary after the unexpected resignation of Colin Bateman, who felt he could not give the position the time it warranted.
Anyone interested in taking over the role should contact Andy Muckle on 07505 007498.
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