Wellington AFC

TRIBUTES were paid last night (Wednesday) to one of the area’s longest-serving sporting figures.

Tony Bull retired as treasurer of Wellington AFC after 58 years with the Toolstation League club.

He started as a player before becoming captain, manager and then taking up the financial role.

Mr Bull received a number of special presentations after last night’s annual meeting.

He received the Football Association’s 50-year award from Jon Pike, chief executive of Somerset FA.

Mr Bull was also presented with travel vouchers from the club itself while his wife Janet received a bouquet.

Chairman Ken Bird said: “Tony has been a pivotal figure in this club’s rise from the Taunton Saturday League through the Somerset Senior League and now the Toolstation premier.

“He has become a Wellington legend and we will be forever in his debt.”

Mr Bull’s final duty as treasurer was to report a loss on the past season of £10,000.

But he said: “The overall picture is not as bleak as the figures portray.

“Since 2008, we have spent £81,000 on ground improvements – including £42,000 on new floodlights in the past year – and we have still kept our heads above water.”

Despite the recession and a weather-ravaged season, bar profits had remained constant and playing costs had been reduced from £18,780 to £16,822, added Mr Bull.

WELLINGTON are looking for a new reserve team manager after Joe Conway announced he was stepping down.

“Joe has had a lot on his plate with a young family, work commitments and also running two sides – the reserves and our under-14s,” said chairman Ken Bird.

“Understandably, he has decided something has to go – we respect his decision and thank him for his efforts.”

Wellington Reserves play in the Devon and Exeter premier division and anyone interested in the manager’s job should contact Ken Bird on 07872-567601.

LEIGH Robinson is returning to Wellington for a second spell as manager of the Toolstation premier outfit.

Robinson guided the club to the division one title in 2007-08 and then to seventh position in their first season back in the premier.

But he left last summer to become joint manager of Zamaretto Southern League side Bridgwater Town with Craig Laird.

The pair led Bridgwater to the Division One South and West play-off final – which they lost 4-3 to Cirencester Town – and Laird announced recently that he was moving to take over as boss at Weston-super-Mare.

Now Robinson is going back to Wellington, where he will replace Warren Patmore and Mark Leaney, who resigned at the end of last season.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Leigh back to the fold,” said chairman Ken Bird.

“The experience he has gained during a year at Bridgwater will stand him in good stead for his return to the Toolstation League.

“He is a popular figure with the players and we are all looking forward to having him back in charge again.”