PRESTEIGNE manager Barry Williams has announced his decision to step down at the end of the season.
Williams has a long association with Llanandras Park and took the reins of the first team at the start of the season, having previously managed the reserves.
However Williams has been forced to blood an inexperienced team in an unforgiving Spar Mid Wales League Division One, with the club currently bottom.
“Circumstances meant that, with a few exceptions, we have had to try and compete in this league with what was essentially last season’s reserve squad,” said Williams.
“My assistant Phil Parker and I always knew it was going to be tough, but we have struggled to strengthen the squad as it is difficult to attract players when you are bottom of the league.
“We would like to thank the squad for working so hard this season and we can assure them and the club that we will be giving it our all over the remainder of the campaign.”
Presteigne chairman Alan Randell paid tribute to the efforts of the management team.
“Barry and Phil were good enough to take on the running of the side last summer, after we were let down by other would-be candidates and we shall always be grateful,” he said.
“Nobody could ever fault the effort they have put into their roles and it is perhaps ironic this announcement comes at a time when we have hit our best form of the season.
“We are hoping they will both remain actively involved in the club through next season and beyond as they are both valuable members of our committee.”
Randell added the club are now preparing for the worst case scenario of relegation and rebuilding under a new management team.
He said: “If we are relegated at the end of the season, it will be our intention to regain our first division place at the first possible opportunity.”