Pershore eyeing a reserves set-up and change of league - The Evesham Observer

Pershore eyeing a reserves set-up and change of league

Evesham Editorial 13th Feb, 2020   0

PERSHORE Town’s new era is set to involve creating a reserves set-up and the first team being switched to the Hellenic League next season.

The Plums announced a managerial shake-up last week, with boss Les Jones becoming director of football, assistant Derek Doyle departing the club and coach Stewart Watkins stepping into the role as manager.

However, the club is determined to look further into the future with the introduction of a reserves team to fill the gap between the youth team and first team.

It seems likely the summer restructuring will mean Pershore follow Malvern Town, Hereford Peasus, Hereford Lads Club and Wellington across to Hellenic League Divison One West.




“In the first draft we’ve seen about the structure we are in the Hellenic League but the FA will take the final decision in the summer,” said Jones. “I think geographically and logically that makes sense. We were keen to move over last summer but we didn’t get the opportunity.

“Nothing is set in stone but we expecting to be in the Hellenic League next year.”


Pershore have yet to make a formal application to join any league to enter a reserve team but it is likely to be a county league.

“This year we set up the Under-18s floodlit team and the idea is to create a reserve team so they can go and used to men’s football, while allowing other players in the first-team squad to get games,” added Jones. “It needs to be the right standard but also the right location because we’ll have a lot of local players and we don’t want to the travelling going further afield.”

Watkins made his managerial bow last weekend as Pershore went down to a 3-2 defeat at Wednesfield in the West Midlands League Premier Division.

Dane Aldington and Sam Clark netted the goals for the Plums, who remain ninth in the table.

They entertain Wolves Sporting on Saturday to begin a run of three home games in a row.

On Tuesday, the Plums meet Lye Town in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup second round before Cradley Town visit the Community Stadium next Saturday.

Pershore have welcomed back Curtis Townley after a spell at Hinckley AFC but Matt Gwynne, Luke Gaffney and Tom Harding look set to follow James Baldwin in moving to pastures new.

Front-runner Baldwin has switched to league rivals Worcester Raiders, while Gwynne is expected to rejoin former club Westfields.

Midfielder Gaffney is being linked a return to Malvern and Hereford Lads Club are expected to draft in Harding.

Former Droitwich Spa player Townley had impressed through pre-season with Pershore, only to switch to Midland League Division One side Hinckley on the eve of the new campaign.

“Curtis was a real loss when he left a few days before the season started because he had done really well, but it’s a real boost to have him back on board,” said Jones.

Pershore will be handed a further lift to face Wolves Sporting with striker Jamie Clarke back available.

Jones decided to miss last week’s match at Wednesfield to allow Watkins sole control, but will be on hand to offer any advice.

“It was the right time to make the change because it was something that had been planned,” he added.

“Stewart’s the manager now and there’s nothing worse than having somebody looking over your shoulder. Stewart is his own man but I’ll be there to help if he wants my advice.”

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