NEWTON Abbot Spurs announced on Thursday, January 15, that their 1st XI manager Connor Marshall had “taken the decision to step down from his role.”

Marshall replaced the hugely popular Marc Revell back in the summer and leaves Spurs well within a chance of achieving a top three finish in the SW Peninsula League East, making this news all the more surprising.

They may sit seventh in the standings currently but with between two and six games in hand on the those placed between second and sixth, it would come as a shock if they didn’t work their way up by the end of the season.

Saturday’s home defeat against AFC St. Day snuffed out the club’s final shot at silverware for the campaign but league form has been largely positively during Marshall’s tenure.

He took to social media and wrote: “This decision comes down to the club and I moving in different directions.

“While I fully respect the ambitions and vision of the club, I ultimately felt it was no longer a direction that aligned with me as a manager and how I wanted things to go.”

In their own statement, Spurs highlighted that “The team consistently competed at a high level, delivered strong performances and achieved positive results, building on the club’s recent success and representing Newton Abbot Spurs with pride both on and off the pitch.”

They also said, “Everyone at Newton Abbot Spurs would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Connor for his hard work, commitment and professionalism throughout his time with the club.”

The mutual respect between the two parties is evident with Spurs singing the praises of their now former manager and Marshall reciprocating this level of positivity.

He added, “I leave with gratitude, respect and best wishes to the club for the future”, as well as giving thanks to everyone from the players to the supporters and not to mention the volunteers whose “dedication is the backbone of this football club and deserves immense recognition.”

Tomorrow (Sat 17) brings the first game in the post-Connor Marshall era and Spurs will head to the Archie Gooch Pavilion to go toe-to-toe with 11th-placed Ilminster Town. Marshall’s men won the reverse fixture at The Rec a few months ago thanks to goals from Chris Harvey and Toby Pullman.

Former manager Marc Revell will be in charge tomorrow at Ilminster. Stay tuned for more to come about his reappointment.