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Pickering is back

Simon Smedley
14/ 5/2008

WOODLEY Sports have decided to turn back the clock by re-appointing Ally Pickering into the position of first-team manager at the club.

Pickering, the locally-based former Coventry City and Stoke City playing star and Mossley manager, returns to Lambeth Grove for a second spell as boss after Ash Berry quit a fortnight ago.

Woodley’s fortunes have dipped alarmingly since Pickering quit Woodley 18 months ago, with last season being particularly stressful as the Steelmen only escaped the dreaded drop on the last day of the season.

After Pickering was re-appointed last Friday, he has now vowed to fire Woodley back into UniBond League first division promotion contention.

Pickering told the Express: "I can’t wait to get back to working at Woodley.

"I’ve got another great opportunity to bring success to a club that I have got lots and lots of time for.

"They didn’t really realise what they’d miss when I left them, but it’s great to be back involved again now."

Pickering quit his first spell at Woodley after a wrangle over the playing budget, but now he has confirmed that this time around he is delighted with assurances he has received from chairman Pete Sullivan.

There are sure to be changes made to the playing staff over the summer, and Pickering has already made contact with a few potential targets, but there will still be an emphasis on youth at Lambeth Grove.

"If they’re good enough, they’re old enough, that’s my policy," added Pickering.

Pickering hasn’t worked in football since he left Woodley, but he hasn’t been short of offers.

He has had interviews, but positions offered just ‘weren’t right’ for him until last week’s opportunity came up.

Dave Sullivan will remain at Woodley in a coaching capacity, while Ian Nevison is also set to return and former player Daniel Douglas-Pringle will return in a player-coach role.

Meanwhile, there have been a few changes at board level at Woodley.

Directors Mike Clark, Stewart Vann and Craig Sellers have left the board, although they will still be giving their support and assistance to the club.

The three local businessmen will be focusing on the new multiple sports facilities and developments at Lambeth Grove.

Club secretary Rod Haslam, Darrin Whittaker and Neil Rourke will, over the next few weeks, forge links with local businessmen and Woodley supporters to form a new directorship and club committee.