Weston seek player-boss to take over

MARK McKeever will be in charge when bottom side Weston-superMare visit fifth-placed Chelmsford City in the National League South this afternoon.

McKeever has taken temporary command after Marc McGregor agreed to step down by mutual consent. McGregor is now in discussions to take up another role within the club.

A statement from the Seagulls read: “Both parties are disappointed by the results on the pitch and that is the reason for this decision.

“The board has been assessing the situation over the last few weeks to ensure that we plan well for the future and, although we have not given up hope avoiding relegation, we are realistic and understand that major improvements on the pitch will have to happen for us to turn this around.

“Our main focus is to ensure that the club has a more stable footing. We have therefore made the decision to change how we appoint the next Manager.

“In the past we have appointed part-time managers, alongside the part-time playing squad. We now believe this is the right time to appoint a full-time manager, preferably a player-manager.

“This will ensure that he has the required time to scout players, scout opponents and progress the squad and academy by offering more time to the training.”

The Seagulls’ relegation rivals Gloucester City play at home to mid-table Hemel Hempstead this afternoon, while Chippenham are at home to St Albans. Brad House has returned to the Bluebirds as cover for injury doubt Will Puddy.

Third-placed Bath City host the team just outside the play-off spots, in Wealdstone.

Hereford FC will be looking to extend their promising recent run when they head to Alfreton in search of a National North double.

The Bulls are unbeaten in five games with three draws and two wins in that sequence. Four of the five games were away from home and they have not been beaten on the road since January 1, when they went down by the odd goal at Kidderminster Harriers.

Hereford’s four-goal haul against Darlington in their last outing has helped them to improve in the ‘goals scored’ column, in which they have struggled all season.

There are now four teams with fewer than the Bulls’ tally of 39, but head coach Marc Richards will be pleased that he can now call on the services of loanee James Waite, who has completed a three-game ban.

Lance Smith, who made a goalscoring return off the bench against Darlington after injury, will also be available to add some fire power.

But, at the other end of the field, Richards has lost the services of Jimmy Oates, with the fullback recalled by Exeter City.