Jee
has been a big part of the club for the past twenty years.
Firstly,
he was a talented player with a dream of a left peg who graced the Silver
Street turf for many years after spells with Exeter City, Tiverton Town and
Bideford AFC.
He
became assistant manager in 2013 and later was instrumental in the club
reaching the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in 2014.
He
took over as manager some five years ago and in his second season, led the side
to the quarter finals of the FA Vase and the Toolstation Western League Premier
Division championship, finishing top after an exciting three-way final game
drama with Plymouth Parkway and Bitton.
Willand
Rovers have now successfully completed their first full season in the Southern
League after two part-completed seasons due to Covid.
The
club have thanked Jee for guiding the team through these difficult years and he
is etched in Willand folklore, and without his enormous contribution, the club
would not be where it is today.
The
statement from the club continues: “There are simply not enough words of thanks
and gratitude we can say to reflect the enormous respect the club has for this
man and his family.
“With
a young family and busy work schedule, Russ was unable to commit full-time to
the managing of the side for next season and has made the difficult decision to
stand down.
“We
are pleased to announce that David Steele will a step up from assistant manager
to take over the mantle and be our new manager for 2022/23.
“Dave
has clear ambitions to lead the club to further successes in the forthcoming
years”. |