7:00am Thursday 3rd May 2012
MANAGER Matt Clarke wants to be the man to lead Evesham United back into the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division at the first attempt.
The Robins were relegated to Division One South and West following their 1-1 draw at Barwell last Saturday, finishing thirdfrom- bottom on 44 points from 42 games.
Clarke took over from Paul West in December but has ended up presiding over demotion despite a promising start to his tenure which featured four wins from his first six matches.
However, he wants to stay on, along with assistant Rob Elmes, and work with chairman Jim Cockerton as United prepare to move into their new stadium at Cheltenham Road.
Clarke said: “I am going to sit down with the chairman this week to discuss my future but the early indications are to stay together and have a go at getting the club back up.
“It’s a pivotal time in the history of Evesham United and it’s a great time, despite the relegation, to be at the club.
“I am sure that with the right foundation and plan the club can get promoted.”
Clarke is also due to hold talks with the squad this week to decide who to keep and who to release following a campaign which yielded 12 wins, eight draws and 22 defeats.
But he felt their efforts could not be faulted in the 1-1 draw at Barwell, which saw Roland Agbor grab a 90th-minute equaliser.
“I thought we did everything we possibly could on the day,” he said. “We kept going and managed to get an equaliser but it wasn’t to be. We left ourselves too much to do.
“I couldn’t have been more proud of the boys, they did the club proud with the performance they put in but results earlier in the last couple of months decided our fate.”
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