GARY Stevens is stepping down from his first team manager role at Wellington to have a break, but wants to remain in the game.

The former Cardiff City, Shrewsbury Town and Hereford United professional footballer has been manager at Wellington for three season and was involved with the club prior to that.

With the Hellenic League now concluded for the season Stevens has decided to step down from his role.

"It's a lot of commitment to do it and from pre-season and then during the season it's every Tuesday and Saturday," said Stevens.

"You give a lot of time and with still working I didn't have a lot of time to do other things so I decided to have a break.

"I have been there four or five years and have enjoyed myself a lot. There are things that I would have like to have happened which haven't but you can't look back and change that.

"It takes a lot of commitment and I didn't think I could commit to it to that extent next season.

"I stepped down to make it fair to Wellington to get another manager in and I will help out where necessary.

"My mind was made up before the coronavirus and I was prepared to commit for the rest of the season.

"It will give me an opportunity to see more games in Herefordshire. Now I have got a lot of time at the present to do jobs that should have been done the last three or four years.

"I'm not going to be walking away from football and will see what comes up."

Stevens leaves with fond memories of the victories his side have secured under his leadership.

Wellington sat in eighth in the Hellenic Division One West when the season was called to an abrupt halt this season.

"I have enjoyed it and think that Wellington is a very good club," added Stevens.

"They have a lot of children playing at the club. The playing surface is brilliant and is one of the best in the county.

"The committee members all work on the pitch and do an excellent job. The training areas are very good and they have just got more lights on there.

"They have got to make a decision whether they stick where they are league wise or try and progress.

"We have done really well, even this season we have beaten Westfields in the cup on penalties, they underestimated us a little bit and were missing one or two players.

"We also beat Lydney in the previous round and won away at in the league at Hereford Pegasus.

"We beat them sides and then go and do silly things like draw against teams that we should be beating quite comfortably, I can't get my head around that.

"We have some very good players and had some exciting games, like the Malvern game last season when we won 3-2 and Brendon Hackett scored the winner at the death.

"The players can just turn it on and we have won games by six, seven and eight goals."

Wellington have thanked Stevens for his efforts and have started the recruitment process to find his replacement.

Any candidates wishing to discuss the position should contact Phil Smith by email on phils54@aol.com or by ringing 07770 324098 or Will Perkins on 07870 669859.