Castle calls it a day at Buckland after heavy loss

BUCKLAND Athletic director of football Adam Castle says the club is ‘reviewing all the options available to us’ after manager Paul Froude stepped down following Saturday’s 5-1 home defeat to Mousehole in the Western League Premier Division.

Buckland actually went 1-0 ahead at Homers Heath through Ryan Bush before their Cornish visitors dominated in the second half. The result left Buckland in 13th in the 19-team division.

Froude’s former assistant, Nick Milton Snr, was in temporary charge last night when Buckland played their Devon St Luke’s Challenge Cup semi-final at Bideford.

In a press release, Castle said: “I know I speak for everyone at the club when I say Paul will be greatly missed. He has done a great job since coming in and to be honest it’s a bit of a shock that he has stepped down.

“Having said that, people don’t realise what it takes to be a manager at this level. Paul is a family man and also a director of the family business so when you consider everything you have to admire Paul’s honesty in saying that he feels the time is right to go.”

Froude was given the remit of bringing through younger players at Buckland and the team enjoyed a brilliant FA Vase run this season that ended with a defeat at Newport Pagnell Town in the last 16 of the national competition.

Froude said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at the club... It has been a privilege to manage the club and I wish nothing but success to everyone involved.”

In the same division, former Torquay United star Kevin Hill was celebrating this week after the club he manages, Exmouth Town, took over at the top of the table – relegating long-time leaders Tavistock to second place.

Tavistock are in action tomorrow night when they host Exeter City in the second semi-final of the Devon St Luke’s Bowl.

Exnouth host Saltash United in the les Phillips Cup, while Helston AThletic head to Cadbury Heath in the league.