QUENTIN TOWNSEND admits he is facing the toughest time of his football career – as a player, coach or manager – in reviving Pershore Town.
The Town boss is embarking on the biggest shake-up of personnel he has faced to halt Pershore’s horrendous end to 2016.
It continued on Saturday as a 3-0 home loss to Cadbury Athletic meant an eighth successive league and cup defeat without a goal scored and with 33 goals conceded.
Townsend admitted, based on results, his position as manager could have been under serious threat after slipping to within two points of the drop zone in Midland League Division One, but he has the backing of the club to rebuild the squad.
Five players have departed – including top scorer Jamie Clarke plus Sean Cooke, Louis Bridges, Will Gayton and Ciaran Gilbert – while on-loan Kidderminster Harriers Academy striker Reece Jacobs is the first of several new faces ahead of the trip to Nuneaton Griff on Saturday.
“Things have gone from bad to worse and we are going to go through the biggest transition since I came to the club. It’s going to be a big rebuilding job,” said Townsend.
“On paper we’ve had some good players but the attitude, the application, hasn’t been good enough. The league position doesn’t lie. I feel the players have let me down with their performances but I’ve made mistakes too. It’s not about blame – it’s about taking Pershore Town forward.
“It’s been a horrible time. This is the worst time I’ve had in football, either as a professional player, semi-pro player or as a manager. But it has made me more determined to get it right. I don’t want this on my CV.
“The club is right behind me which is really pleasing because some clubs wouldn’t have done that. I will turn things around.”
While Townsend has axed half of his team, he will be following up a series of seven-day approaches for new recruits.
His squad has also been much depleted with injuries and suspensions and Townsend will welcome more options for tomorrow’s trip to a Griff side who, having started the season among the promotion contenders, have slipped to mid-table.
Steve Roche and James Walker are available after suspension while Jelson Antonio, on loan from Kidderminster, will be fit after an ankle injury.
Captain Shaun Griffiths will remain sidelined, though, for another few weeks after undergoing a long-awaited nose operation to assist his breathing.
Newcomer Jacobs will be ready for his debut, having already proved himself a goalscorer at this level. He had an earlier loan spell at Littleton, scoring eight goals in 15 appearances, before switching to Romulus and Boldmere St Michaels.
“Reece is someone who has proved himself at this level, scoring a goal every other game in a spell at Littleton,” said Townsend. “He is young, hungry and he wants to do well. That’s the sort of player we want to develop.
Tuesday’s (January 10) scheduled Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup home match against Malvern Town was postponed.