FORMER Westfields manager Phil Glover has spoken about the unexpected decision to part company with the club last week.

Glover spent 15 years at Fields as a player, captain, a member of coaching staff and then manager

“It was unexpected decision that came as a shock to myself, staff and the players,” he said.

“Myself and my staff Paul Willetts, Jonathan Pugh, Scott Jackson and Joe Darley weren’t expecting the decision to be made and I thank them for their efforts and loyalty this week.

“The first season I took over we were denied promotion by the Covid-19 pandemic and it certainly raised expectations within the club.

“From committee level within the club there is an expectation to win the Hellenic Premier Division. I’m all for ambition, but for a club which hasn’t won the league for 20 years I find that immediate expectation unrealistic.

“I’m not a ‘yes man’ and looking back I felt that didn’t always help me in my position as manager.

“I’d have liked to have thought that the club would have handled this week a lot better than they have in terms of communication and the appointment of any interim management.

“In my eyes that says more about them than myself. A different role within the club was never officially offered to myself.

“Going forward I’d like to wish the current squad every success and I fully expect them to win the games at Thornbury on Saturday and to keep pushing forward.

“I’m not sure which way the club will look to go in terms of a new management set-up. I know they will do very well to find a more committed management group that has such a connection to Westfields.

“I wish the club all the very best going forward.”