Wellington AFC

WELLINGTON Football Club are entering “an exciting new era,” the annual meeting was told.

Chairman Ken Bird said it had been a disappointing season for the first-team, eventually leading to the resignation of manager Dave Sheehan.

“I would like to pay tribute to the efforts of both Dave and his assistant Roger Brereton during their five years at the helm and wish them every success for the future.

He added: “Now, we are entering an exciting new era and are looking forward to next season with Paul West and Ian Jackson in charge of the side.

“I’m thrilled with their appointment, confident they will bring us the success we deserve and hope that everyone will give them the fullest possible support.

“Our aim is premier division football as soon as possible and I know it is shared by Paul, Ian and the rest of their management team.”

Mr Bird said the clubhouse side of the club continued to thrive. “While we have not achieved the record bar results of last season, it has been another fantastic year.

“Our continued success off the pitch could not be achieved without a huge amount of hard work and I would like to thank everyone for their efforts.”

Treasurer Tony Bull said the clubhouse account showed a surplus of £10,096 with bar takings totalling £64,267.

The club spent £14,796 on the playing side — although nearly £8,000 had gone on facilities including the showers (£3,262), other repairs and renewals (£2,457). He said the club had now spent £19,000 on improve-ments in the past five years.

Secretary Dave Grabham gave a review of an “eventful” season and stressed that the club should work hard to reverse a worrying increase in disciplinary offences by players.

Officers elected: President, Alan Shire; chairman, Ken Bird, vice-chairman, Graham Aspin, secretary, Dave Grabham; treasurer, Tony Bull; membership secretary, Jenny Elsley; hall bookings officer and child protection officer, Colin Waller; bar organisers, Dave Derrick and Reg Oxby.

THE club have appointed ex-Wellington and Taunton Town defender Rob Lowe as Director of Football Operations to oversee liaison between the teams.

THREE new clubs were elected to join the Western League — now sponsored by Toolstation — at the annual meeting.
Joining Wellington and Minehead in Division One will be Bradford Town (Wiltshire), Longwell Green (Bristol) and Portishead (Somerset).
The meeting also agreed to promote a third side — Radstock — to the premier division, leaving 21 teams in the premier and 22 teams in the first.
Club representatives at the AGM in Bridgwater were warned that players and clubs could face stiff punishment next season if they were guilty of abuse towards match officials.
TOOLSTATION League Constitution 2005-2006 — Premier Division: Backwell United, Barnstaple Town, Bideford, Bishops Sutton, Bitton, Bridgwater Town, Brislington, Bristol Manor Farm, Calne Town, Corsham Town, Devizes Town, Exmouth Town, Frome Town, Hallen, Keynsham Town, Melksham Town, Odd Down, Radstock Town, Torrington, Welton Rovers, Willand Rovers. Division 1: Almondsbury, Biddestone, Bradford Town, Bridport, Cadbury Heath, Chard Town, Clevedon United, Clyst Rovers, Dawlish Town, Elmore, Ilfracombe Town, Larkhall Athletic, Longwell Green, Minehead, Portishead, Saltash United, Shepton Mallet, Shrewton United, Street, Wellington, Westbury

NEW Wellington manager Paul West has made his first major signing since taking over after securing the services of prolific striker Nick Woon who has joined from Street.

It is a major coup for the Toolstation League Division One club as Woon has been one of the most consistent goalscorers in the Western League since starting his career at Wellington in 1997.
Woon’s arrival is the first piece of what the new boss hopes will be a promotion winning side.
The 32-year-old started his Western League career at the club eight years ago and has since had spells with Street (two), Minehead, Elmore, Bideford, Taunton and Paulton Rovers.
The Taunton-based player hopes to bring success back to Wellington and said the appointment of West was the main reason for him returning.
“I was persuaded to come back when I heard Westy had taken over,” said Woon this week.
“I’m confident he can get good players over and players with the right attitude.
“I’ve known Westy for a long time and he’s the kind of person who will get the best out of any team.
“I enjoyed my time at Wellington first time around and I’m really looking forward to playing for the club again.
“I’m confident we will do well.”
West said this week: “It’s a massive signing for us.
“I’ve played with and against Nick and I know he will score goals wherever he goes.
“In the kind of team I’m confident of building, I believe he can score us 40 goals. That’s the target I’m setting him because he’s good enough.
“I hope this signing will show people what we are hoping to achieve at Wellington.”

WELLINGTON’S top scorer last season, Leon Taswell, hopes to be back in training in January after having an operation on his injured knee.
The youngster, who discovered the problem after twisting his knee mid-way through the season, had his middle cruciate knee ligament rebuilt. It involved taking part of his hamstring and connecting it to the damaged ligament.

NEW Wellington manager Paul West is planning a gruelling pre-season training programme to get his players ready for an assault on the Toolstation League’s Division One.
The 34-year-old, who took over as boss with Ian Jackson as his assistant last week, wants the squad to train three times a week at Wellington from July 2.
Once the season starts, West aims for the club to train on the Castle School’s new artificial pitch in Taunton.
“Fitness is going to be very important in getting promotion from this league,” said West.
“I want to get the first team, reserves, thirds, under-16s and any new faces training together initially and then sort out a squad of 25.
“I hope to arrange three friendly matches but I think it’s important to have a few inter-club matches to compare players in certain positions.”
Meanwhile, West confirmed he has been busy speaking to players he wants to bring to the Playing Field next season but is yet to make any definite signings.

AS soon as the new season gets under way, this section will feature the latest match reports from Wellington AFC.

So watch this space from August!

WELLINGTON Football Club provides a varied social programme for members.

Events include live bands, discos, race nights etc.

For further information, keep visiting this site!

WELLINGTON Football Club provides a varied social programme for members.

Events include live bands, discos, race nights etc.

For further information, keep visiting this site!

WELLINGTON’S new management team of Paul West and Ian Jackson are busy making plans for their first season in charge.

The pair are planning to start pre-season training with a get-together for ALL players – firsts, reserves, thirds and under-16s.

It will take place on Saturday, July 2nd … watch this space for further details.

PAUL West has been appointed manager of Wellington AFC.

West, who captained Taunton Town to FA Vase success, will run the first-team with Ian Jackson, who has spent his entire playing career with Wellington.

The pair take over from Dave Sheehan and Roger Brereton, who both resigned at the end of last season.