Pears: ‘It has been really positive since I have arrived’

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC

LOOKING back on his first month in the managerial hot seat at Homers Heath, Buckland Athletic manager Richard Pears has revealed how he still has to pinch himself after landing the top job at the club.

The 42-year-old was announced as Buckland’s new boss in October after succeeding Craig Duff following a poor start to the season.

After director of football Adam Castle stepped in on a temporary basis to replace Duff in September, the club’s results have continued to improve under Pears.

On Saturday, Ryan Bush scored twice, with Ethan Phillips scoring his fifth goal in three games, and Lloyd Gardner was also on target in a 4-0 win at Hengrove Athletic.

It was the perfect response after their 5-4 defeat at home to Bitton seven days earlier.

After four games in charge Pears has seen enough to suggest the team is now heading in the right direction after a difficult start to the campaign.

He said: “It was a really good response on Saturday following the game against Bitton.

“We have been great going forward, but I was really disappointed with the way we defended.

“We worked hard on the training pitch last week, I wanted us to defend from the front and that’s what we did on Saturday.

“It’s a really big pitch at Hengrove and in the second half we had to win ugly, which is good to see.

“It was only my fourth game, and I’m still learning about the players.

“It’s been a good learning curve, and I’m really pleased with the squad.

“It has been really positive since I arrived. The players have been brilliant, I wanted them to enjoy their football again.

“I’m loving it. It’s a fantastic club, from the players to behind the scenes. I sometimes have to pinch myself that I’m managing at the top at the club.

“It’s a superb set-up, throughout all the teams, the ladies won in the Devon Cup quarter-final, it’s just a great club to be at.”

Buckland are up to ninth in the Toolstation Western League, and they will be look- ing to continue their revival when they entertain Cadbury Heath on Saturday.

They will welcome back James Richards after a one-match suspension this weekend, while Pears will be looking for more of the same from the in-form Phillips.

He said: “Ethan has made an immediate impact and has been like a breath of fresh air since coming in.

“He is a quality player and he has raised the game of the other players in the squad.”

Andy Styles