Chairman puts faith in Clarke (From Evesham Journal)

Chairman puts faith in Clarke

10:10am Thursday 17th May 2012 in News

EVESHAM United chairman Jim Cockerton says manager Matt Clarke will get the “golden opportunity” to lead the club into their new stadium.

The Robins are due to take up residency in their £2million stadium on Cheltenham Road in time for the curtain-raiser between Manchester United Legends and Evesham United Old Boys on Saturday, July 7.

Evesham are looking to bounce back at the first attempt following relegation to Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West and Clarke has been given the backing to lead the charge.

He took over from Paul West in December but could not stop United sliding through the Premier Division trapdoor on the last day of the season. But, with the club hoping the new ground will draw larger crowds than their five-year tenancy at Worcester City’s St George’s Lane, Cockerton believes there are good times ahead.

“It’s the start of a new era and a bright future,” the Robins chief said.

“We are all disappointed that we were relegated.

“We struggled for years in that league so we are going to regroup and hopefully come back up with bigger crowds and in a much stronger position.

“Matt’s going to get the golden opportunity. We have decided he will start the season off and we will give him a crack.

“We should be getting much bigger crowds, we have budgeted for that, and we will see what he can do.”

Roadworks on the access roundabout to the stadium, which delayed the ground opening last year, are on course to finish at the end of June.

The 13-acre site has nine pitches and will be home to 24 junior teams as United aim to build a club for the community.

Evesham are seeking a sponsor for naming rights for the 3,000- capacity stadium, although fans have suggested it be called the Jubilee Stadium to mark the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Manchester United Legends match kicks off at 2.30pm and tickets cost £10. To book, call secretary Mike Peplow on 07889 011539.