Ottery St Mary Ladies have appointed Mario Spanjic as their new manager.
Spanjic has built a terrific reputation in football, particularly the ladies’ side of the game, and comes with with FA and UEFA qualifications.
A statement on the Ottery social pages said: “Mario met the girls last week and took his first training session this past weekend, and has been received well into the club.
“Mario will combine this role alongside his work with Exeter City FC Development Centre. The squad, coaches and Committee are looking forward in working with him as we enter the new year.”
Spanjic takes over the position from interim manager Andrew Braddick, who took on the role in the summer but has now returned to training after a nasty ankle injury that had prevented him from playing since pre-season.
On the pitch, it was a frustrating end to a frustrating 2021 in local football, as the Otters had a complete wash-out of all fixtures last weekend.
Despite the regular interruptions, Ottery have been outstanding over the early months of the Devon Football League campaign, as they enter Christmas sitting top of the South & West Division.
As it stands, Ottery are scheduled to resume competitive action with a rearranged trip to Waldon Athletic on January 2.
The Otters then welcome Roselands on January 9 and successive games against two teams in the bottom half of the table will represent a big opportunity to pile on more points.
It is then a trip to face the Plymouth Argyle Development side, a team linked to the Argyle Community Trust operation and packed with some talented youngsters.
March 20 is one big date to mark on the calendar, as that is currently scheduled for Ottery to visit their main title rivals from Okehampton Argyle.
Elsewhere at Washbrook Meadows, players and parents from Ottery have made a superb contribution to The Ottery Larder.
Organised by Under-11s coach and groundsman David Goldthorpe, collection points were organised at training and matches to receive the welcome donations.
The Ottery Larder was established at the start of the Covid crisis to create a volunteer team dedicated to helping vulnerable people in the community.