LEWIS Taylor is hoping that Pewsey Vale will be a club rejuvenated next season after the Ball Road outfit shuffled their pack behind the scenes.

Following Vale’s AGM, Alan Ritchie has opted to bring his 12-year spell as chairman to an end, leaving Taylor to step up into the role from vice-chairman.

Taylor has agreed to also manage Pewsey, assisted by new vice-chairman Craig Wall and former chief Adi Holcombe, who returns as club coach three years after walking away from Ball Road.

Boss Taylor reckons he’ll have more than enough support as he embarks on the dual role, as ready-made replacements will be waiting in the wings should his chairman duties overbear the manager’s job.

“We felt that the club needed a bit of refreshment. Things have declined on the playing side over the last few years and that feeling has carried over to the clubhouse,” said Taylor.

“When Nick Maggs resigned last season, that brought on a period of reflection for Alan and he decided to move on after being the chairman for 12 years. I’d been vice-chairman for five and was happy to be chairman and manage the side.

“I know that I’ll have fantastic support from Craig Wall and I’m absolutely delighted that Adi is back with us. He’s been a breath of fresh air already and he’s just as enthusiastic as he was when we first started working together six years ago.

“He’ll be the club coach and will be trying to bring players through from the U18s to the reserve side as well as helping with the first team. If I find that there are other projects at the club that are taking my time, then I think we’d be able to look at changing things quite quickly.”

Alistair Tuttle has been appointed as Vale’s new U18s manager and will be assisted by Justin Messenger, David Force-Jones, Geoff Pinder and Neil Stephens.

The club are on the lookout for a new manager to take charge of reserve team Vale of Pewsey, who ply their trade in the Wiltshire League. Contact Taylor on 07720 351937.