A NEW era has begun at Littleton after Andy Robbins ended his 18-year reign as manager of the club.

Robbins won 23 trophies and guided Littleton from the Worcester League Premier Division to Midland League Division One.

The 59-year-old also helped launch the careers of Jamie Insall, Joe Lolley and Matt Smith, who have gone on to play professional football for Hibernian, Huddersfield Town and Bristol City respectively.

But Robbins, who has handed over the reins to Keith Ingram, felt the “time had come” to step down.

“For a small village side to win 23 trophies in 18 years is an outstanding achievement and it was always backed by (outgoing chairman) Colin Emms,” he said.

“People like him are few and far between as he supported me all the way, so the most emotional part was speaking to Colin to say, ‘I am finishing’.

“I have been so lucky to have had people like Matt, Joe and Jamie and it was quite humbling when they messaged me the day I resigned to say thanks and wished me all the best.”

Robbins will always remember the day when the late Jim Cox phoned him to say he had got the managerial job at Littleton.

“He asked to see me on Friday for a meeting and put the phone down,” he said.

“I turned up, he introduced me to the committee as the new manager and I had not said a word. I don’t know how I got the job.

“My proudest achievement was coming runners-up in the first year of the Midland Combination Premier Division, where we ran Walsall Wood close.

“But I have so many fantastic memories and it has been great to give local kids an opportunity to play at a decent level.”

Robbins said he was keen to “recharge the batteries” before potentially returning to management in the new year.

Ingram marked his first game at the helm with a 2-1 league success at Bolehall Swifts last Saturday.