July 28th, 2010
WELLINGTON manager Leigh Robinson has made a string of new signings to mark his return to the Toolstation premier club.
Robinson is back in charge after a season as joint boss of Bridgwater Town and has persuaded a number of his former players to rejoin him.
They include keeper Ryan Lewis and winger Craig Herrod, who left during last season to join Street and Bridgwater respectively. Also returning to Wellington are the strike trio of Alex Pounde, Joe Dakwa and Luke Desave.
Robinson has secured the signatures of most of last season’s squad including skipper Simon Ingram, Scott Holland, Jack Adams and Craig Mawford while a number of new players have also signed this week.
July 28th, 2010
David Derrick has been appointed as Reserve Team Administrator for the 2010-2011 season and will report to Team Manager Dave Thomas.
David – who has fulfilled a similar role since the 2006-2007 season for the Reserves side – will be responsible for the team’s match day administration and preparatory administration leading up to match days.
Commenting on this role he said ‘This has been a tough pre-season for the Club and in particular with respect to our Devon and Exeter League status, but now that we have sorted matters and Dave has agreed to manage a team in the Premier Division I was delighted to be able to accept the role when it was offered and I look forward to working with Dave on a formal basis for the first time – I assisted Dave from time to time when he was the Rovers Manager, but this will be the first time I have worked with him on a week by week basis and I am sure our arrangement will work well. I will draw on my experience of working for John Norman, Nick Bowrah, Jason Hawkings and Joe Conway in the past to provide Dave and the Reserves squad with the administrative support they require. Although I will miss the opening two games of the season due to cricket and work commitments all that Dave requires will be in place and I look forward to joining up with the side from mid-September.’
July 28th, 2010
Fixtures for the new season have been received with the 1st XI – under Leigh Robinson – been away to Brislington in the Premier Division of the Western League on Saturday 7th August and the Reserves playing their first game in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter League under Dave Thomas at home to Alphington Reserves on Saturday 4th September.
The Reserves may start with an East Devon Senior Cup game on Saturday 28th August – such a match would be draw dependant; more details when available.
July 26th, 2010
WELLINGTON AFC are holding their first Summer Football Fun Day next week.
Youngsters, aged from five-12, can attend the event which will run from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Friday, August 6, at the club’s Playing Field headquarters.
They will be coached by first-team manager Leigh Robinson, assisted by a selection of the club’s senior players.
There will be a mini World Cup tournament, penalty shootouts, trophies, medals and much more.
Anyone wishing to book a place for their child (cost £10) should either ring 07812-385221 or email welli.funday@yahoo.com
Meanwhile, Wellington will also be holding free coaching sessions for local youngsters on Monday evenings throughout August.
July 26th, 2010
DAVE Thomas will manage Wellington Reserves in the premier division of the Devon and Exeter League next season.
Thomas, who lives in the town, has led the club’s third team to successive promotions in the same league.
“We are delighted that Dave has decided to make the step up and hope he will be able to continue his remarkable managerial record,” said club chairman Ken Bird.
“He is already busy setting up a management team, talking to players and organising pre-season friendlies.”
The annoucement coincides with the news that Wellington have decided to withdraw their third team from the Devon and Exeter League.
Instead, they are launching two new Sunday sides – Wellington Warriors managed by Paul Sellick and Wellington Veterans run by Sean Buttle.
The club are also running their first ever women’s team, who will be managed by Steve Longley.
June 17th, 2010
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.
June 8th, 2010
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.
June 8th, 2010
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.”
May 8th, 2010
TOOLSTATION premier club Wellington are looking for a new first team manager after joint bosses Warren Patmore and Mark Leaney stepped down this week.
Former Yeovil Town striker Patmore took over at the club last summer and was joined by Leaney early in the season.
“We are naturally disappointed that they are leaving but completely understand the reasons,” said club chairman Ken Bird.
“We have held lengthy talks with Warren since the season ended and I think it’s fair to say that we have been going down different roads on the way forward. As a result, he informed us on Thursday that he would be stepping down.
“Mark has taken up a new job which involves him having to spend a huge amount of time abroad and he does not feel able to commit the time needed to helping manage our first team.
“We’d like to thank them wholeheartedly for their efforts on behalf of Wellington AFC and wish them all the best for the future.”
Mr Bird said the club’s management committee had a number of names in mind for the manager’s job but would also be inviting applications for the post.
Anyone wishing further information or to apply should ring him on 07872-567601.
May 6th, 2010
WELLINGTON Reserves eased their relegation fears with a fine 7-2 victory away to St Martin’s in the Devon and Exeter Premier last night.
Fielding a strong side, Wellington led 5-0 at the interval and added two more goals after the break.
Leading the way was Simon Ingram, who scored a hat-trick while strike partners Scott Holland and Sam Bryant bagged two apiece.
Wellington complete their season with a match away to University on Saturday.
