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Oggie resigns as Charlies' assistant
Reported by Danny Hall at the Wilts and Glos Standard
CHARLIE GRIFFIN plans to appoint a new assistant manager this week following the surprise departure of Paul 'Oggie' Hunt.
Oggie, brought in by Griffin when he became manager last September, was not in the dug-out when Cirencester Town ran out convincing 4-1 winners on their visit to Western League opponents Malmesbury Vics on Saturday. Hunt has previously been assistant to Adi Viveash during his 16-month tenure as Town manager from 2007.
"I had a long chat with Oggie last week and he said he felt he could no longer give the role his 100 per cent commitment," said Griffin after the Vics game.
"I appreciate that as there is a lot involved what with training, sometimes two games a week and also going to see other games looking for players and watching future opposition. I have two or three names in mind and I hope to make a decision in the next few days."
Griffin was delighted with his emerging Ciren squad who put four goals past the Vics and it could have been many more.
Though dominating the first half the Centurions did not get in front until a uncharacteristic fumble from Vics keeper Mark Billingsley allowed captain Alan Griffin to nod home the opener five minutes before half-time.
Two goals in as many minutes at the start of the second half settled the result.
Griffin scored with a textbook header from a Henry Spalding corner which was followed by an exquisite chip from Adam Connolly.
A neat finish from the industrious Ben Whitehead after fine work from triallist Connor Teague – an ex-Cirencester Town youngster who was a prolific striker for Hellenic Div Two West champions Bourton Rovers last season – completed the scoring for the visitors.
Vics' U18 Player of the Year last season, Joe Tranter, bagged a consolation for the hosts.
Griffin offered a deal to hard-working midfielder Louis Loader after the game, bringing the additions to last year's squad to six, the others being ex-Bishops Cleeve quartet – Matt Wieczorek, Jordan Stoddart, Jack Watts and Jack Horrell – along with Ben Whitehead.
Griffin feels that ex-Banbury player Felipe Barcelos, who played in the opening two warm-up games, could be slipping through his fingers but expects Forest Green Rovers' first-season pro Jordan Morris to pull on a Cirencester shirt for the first time this week ahead of his loan deal until January.
Cirencester Town travel to play Mark Pritchett's Tuffley Rovers on Tuesday, Fairford Town on Thursday and are due to entertain Cheltenham U23s on a training pitch at the Corinium Stadium on Saturday, as the new 3G pitch has yet to be completed.
Future cup dates now on the diary are: Saturday, August 19 – FA Cup Preliminary Round, away to Aylesbury; Saturday October 7 – FA Trophy
Cirencester Town begin the new Evo-Stik South West campaign by christening the new artificial surface against last season's play-off candidates Taunton Team when manager Griffin will cross swords with former team-mates like Les Afful and Matt Wright.
This entry was posted on 17 July 2017 at 09:17 and is filed under Miscellaneous | First Team. You can leave a response here.
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