THE duo who led Ewyas Harold Football Club to their first Premier Division title since 2006 have pitched up at Herefordshire League rivals Westfields Reserves.

Rob Calderhead and Dave Whitson are the new reserve management team allpay.park, having replaced the departing Anthony Rivett and Paul Martin.

Calderhead admitted the switch was ‘not a decision they took lightly’ but he felt it was a right time to leave Harold after two successful seasons.

“Westfields have got great potential with a great set up and structure,” said Calderhead.

“We felt we wanted to have a new and fresh challenge and Westfields Football Club are also closer to where we live, so we thought it was a good move.

“Dave and I will be concentrating on our reserve team duties.

“Westfields Reserves have been a strong team in the two seasons we had with Harold, finishing fourth in the Premier Division in both campaigns.”

Calderhead added: “It would have been the easiest decision in the world to have stayed at Harold. The lads at Harold have been tremendous and we have some very good friends at the club.

“We won the league shield and the league title last season and, if we were going to leave Harold, we wanted to depart on a high and leave the club in a good position.”

The duo’s first training session with Westfields Reserves takes place next Wednesday (July 16), starting at 6.45pm.

Westfields’ chief executive, Andy Morris, said: “We were pleased to have the opportunity to interview Rob Calderhead and Dave Whitson who have impressive CVs prior to what they did at Ewyas Harold, which was a first-class job.

“They were very keen to join Westfields and, in their interview, gave us a clear indication of what they would like to achieve and were keen to work with Sean Edwards, the club manager, and liaise with the under-18 manager, Richard Cassidy.

“They are wishing to have a team of youth and experience and, to continue to develop players who can progress to our Midland Alliance team while also build on the success that Anthony Rivett and Paul Martin have achieved in recent seasons.”

Ewyas Harold are now looking to appoint a new management team for the new season.

“We are looking for a committed new manager and assistant to run our Premier Division side,” said Harold director Malcolm Watkins.

“We have an excellent mix of experienced and young players and this is an exciting opportunity for the right candidates to help develop and shape our player development strategy within the club.”

For details about Harold’s management position, call Andy Smith on 07778 650686 or Malcolm Watkins on 07866 479399.