OTTERY ST Mary FC hope they have averted a crisis at the club by securing Andy Phillips as their new manager.

OTTERY ST Mary FC hope they have averted a crisis at the club by securing Andy Phillips as their new manager.

Phillips, who used to play for the Otters under Steve Down, and led Exeter Civil Service to league success last season, agreed to take the post on Monday night, the club having struggled through the weekend without a 1st XI manager.

Previous incumbent, Danny Minto, lasted just a few days having agreed to take over when Mark Watkins stepped down, earlier this month.

Club Chairman Greg Layzell made the following statement:

"I would like to announce our new management team. Firstly, we have Andy Phillips as manager. Andy has a history with the Otters, he was a player here in the late 80s early 90s, and was part of the squad who were Great Mills Western League First Division Champions in 1989/90, gaining promotion to the Premier Division. He then went on to play for other teams at a very high standard but, if you talk to Andy, you will hear that his passion has always been his days at Washbrook Meadows.

"But Andy is not someone who is dwelling in the past, he realises the work he has cut out in front of him and I believe he is the man to bring us back into contention in the league and build to go forward to the next level. With Andy's past experience with Civil last season, winning our league, he is the man who has come home to lead us forward on the pitch.

"His assistant will be Jason Rees, who, in his younger years, played for the Welsh under 21s, and will bring some wise thoughts in to aid Andy. Both being at Civil together I can see the closeness they have developed and are looking forward to the challenge ahead of them.

"With the initial announcement being made Monday evening, things got off to a cracking start with players coming forward and wanting to play for us.

"Also, people have been coming forward to offer Andy and the club support on and off the pitch.

"These are indeed exciting times and I would like to thank members of the committee for keeping the faith through the bad times to look forward to the good times ahead."

Ottery are home to Appledore in the Throgmorton Cup on Saturday and home next Wednesday against Budleigh Salterton.

The league table does not make great reading, bottom placed Ottery have shipped 47 goals already this season but the Budleigh game gives them every opportunity to gain some much needed points.

The Reserves did well against Silverton pushing their keeper hard but having to settle for a 3-2 defeat in Division 6 of the D and E League.