Hellenic League Premier Division side Ascot United confirmed over the weekend that manager Neil Richards will return to his Director of Football role at the Racecourse Ground.
Richards was appointed boss of the Yellamen first team in January 2017 following the departure of Jeff Lamb and Paul McGrotty and has ensured United kept their place step five status this season.
The club announced on Saturday that Richards would return to the role he held previously, and would be succeeded by Development Team manager and current first team head coach Jamie Tompkins.
A statement on the clubs website reads: “For the 2018/19 Neil Richards will re-join the board at Ascot United in the role of Director of Football. Neil will be responsible for all football development at the club.His first job is to appoint a new first team manager and we are delighted to announce that Jamie Tompkins has accepted the role for the 2018/19 season.”
Chairman Mike Harrison said: “On behalf of everyone at the club we are very grateful to Neil, Jamie and of course the players for what they a have achieved after a difficult start to the season and we still have a cup semi final to play.
“We can look forward with real optimism to next season in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier League, with Jamie at the helm, a young and improving squad and Neil leading football development throughout the whole club.”
Ascot had spent much of the start of the season mired in a lower table position but the signing of former Hampton & Richmond Borough striker Ben Harris proved a turning point in a season that see’s them finish well clear of the bottom four.
Yellamen captain Louis Bouwers led the tributes to Richards on Twitter:
Top bloke. Top manager. Thanks for everything Gaffa @NeilRichards15 – now let’s win you that silverware you so very much deserve #YELLAMEN
— Louis Bouwers (@LBouwers) April 21, 2018
💛💙. Thank you for bringing me into this great club, stood by me in one of the most frustrating seasons of football… hopefully we can do you justice and send you off with silverware. #WengerWho #Yellamen https://t.co/XnVecbMiAr
— Sam (@boults19) April 21, 2018
Here’s what goalkeeper Lee Allen had to say:
Absolute pleasure to play under this man. And real asset to the club. One of nicest people in football. Massive amount of respect to him. He’s left it in good hands with Jamie. 💛💙
— Lee Michael Allen (@Lee_Allen001) April 21, 2018
Ascot have confirmed Tompkins will announce his managerial staff in due course.
