South Devon Football League Forum

Herald

May 16, 08 - 7:06 PM

Adam castle - new Villa Manager

Adam castle has been reappointed in his role as first team player-manager at WBW Solicitors South Devon League club Brixham Villa after a remarkable change of heart.It was only nine weeks ago in fact when he tendered his resignation after the St Mary's Park club had been beaten 3-0 by eventual winners Totnes and Dartington SC in the semi-finals of the Devon Premier Cup.

Castle, 32, told the Herald Express at the time:

"I felt I had taken the club as far as I could, and that it was time for a fresh approach.

"I've done the job for seven and a half years, and you do lose the respect of the players from time to time, but on this occasion I felt I had lost it totally.

"I had set the team up in the best possible way to win against Totnes & Dartington having had them watched, yet they went out and did exactly the opposite.

"None of the players took a blind bit of notice of the way they had been told to play, and that told me it was time to go."

Commenting yesterday, Castle told the Herald Express:

"I was making it clear that there were a few things I wasn't happy about, and had someone taken over in March I would have been delighted for the club.

"However, I still had a hunger for Brixham Villa, and the short break since tendering my resignation has given me time to freshen up and think things through.

"Indeed, the break continues for another three months before the new season starts, so there's even more time to freshen up, but I re-applied for the job because I feel I've got unfinished business."

Castle has immediately reinstated Phil Thomas as assistant manager, but accepts he must look for another first team coach now that Keith Pitman has stood down to take on other responsibilities within the club.

He explained: "I can still take training and warm-ups until we appoint someone, but the club is also looking for a reserve team manager or player-manager to take over from Terry Hallett, so I doubt a first team coach will be appointed until that's been sorted out.

"In the meantime, it's important to freshen up the squad ahead of next season after finishing third in the one that's just finished.

"It was disappointing having won the championship and Herald Cup 12 months earlier, but we shall have to work even harder to do better in 2008/2009.

"Upton Athletic are the benchmark in that respect, because they're a great advertisement for what can be achieved if you put your back into it."

Castle is already buoyed ahead of next season with news that striker Mike Fox will be available.

"We missed him badly this season, so he's like a new signing, plus we've some young players coming through to play alongside and benefit from the more experienced campaigners such as George McDonald.

"My only regret is that we're losing Bovey Tracey to the South West Peninsula League, because I've always enjoyed battles against them."

Castle's reappointment was welcomed by club chairman Dick Scagell after Villa had interviewed a handful of candidates for the post.

"He proved to the committee that he still has lots of ambition, and convinced us of where he wants to take the club, not least after we move to Brokenbury Park.

"That's something like two seasons away, but negotiations are progressing well with Torbay Council for planning permission," said Scagell, adding:

"We also know how Adam operates, and that he's a winner."

Castle's most successful season was 2006/2007 when Villa won both the Premier Division and the Herald Express sponsored Herald Cup.

They also lifted the Herald Cup the previous season having finished runners-up in the championship, while Castle has also steered Villa to a Division One title, the Dartmouth Cup and two Charity Shield triumphs.

Utd forever

May 17th, 2008 - 8:21 AM

Re: Adam castle - new Villa Manager

So castle is going back take it no one else applied then!!! Bottled it when the going got tough and now comes back when the sdl is the weakest it has been for a while. The same players that didnt listen will be at the club this season so whats going to change.How long before he leaves again. He is making villa look a joke. For a club that aspriations of moving up the league ladder.

player

May 17th, 2008 - 10:13 AM

Re: Adam castle - new Villa Manager

as the sdl is 'at its weakest' maybe now utd will have a chance of winning something....

Utd forever

May 17th, 2008 - 12:28 PM

Re: Adam castle - new Villa Manager

Proably especially when adam stops off after christmas !!!

player

May 18th, 2008 - 10:21 AM

Re: Adam castle - new Villa Manager

love it, so your pinning your hopes of utd winning something on the back of what adam/villa do? shows what a joke your club is, blew your chance last season matey

Galmpton Supporter

May 23rd, 2008 - 2:55 PM

Re: Adam castle - new Villa Manager

I was so pleased to read that Adam had changed his mind and returned to club management.

With so many clubs pulling their clubs out, the SDL is on the verge of melt down and they need characters like Adam involved now more than ever.

Good luck Adam, with you back at the helm Brixham Villa will go on to be one of the most successful clubs in SDL history.

Galmpton Supporter

Author	Comment
Herald May 16, 08 - 7:06 PM	Adam castle - new Villa Manager Adam castle has been reappointed in his role as first team player-manager at WBW Solicitors South Devon League club Brixham Villa after a remarkable change of heart.It was only nine weeks ago in fact when he tendered his resignation after the St Mary's Park club had been beaten 3-0 by eventual winners Totnes and Dartington SC in the semi-finals of the Devon Premier Cup. Castle, 32, told the Herald Express at the time: "I felt I had taken the club as far as I could, and that it was time for a fresh approach. "I've done the job for seven and a half years, and you do lose the respect of the players from time to time, but on this occasion I felt I had lost it totally. "I had set the team up in the best possible way to win against Totnes & Dartington having had them watched, yet they went out and did exactly the opposite. "None of the players took a blind bit of notice of the way they had been told to play, and that told me it was time to go." Commenting yesterday, Castle told the Herald Express: "I was making it clear that there were a few things I wasn't happy about, and had someone taken over in March I would have been delighted for the club. "However, I still had a hunger for Brixham Villa, and the short break since tendering my resignation has given me time to freshen up and think things through. "Indeed, the break continues for another three months before the new season starts, so there's even more time to freshen up, but I re-applied for the job because I feel I've got unfinished business." Castle has immediately reinstated Phil Thomas as assistant manager, but accepts he must look for another first team coach now that Keith Pitman has stood down to take on other responsibilities within the club. He explained: "I can still take training and warm-ups until we appoint someone, but the club is also looking for a reserve team manager or player-manager to take over from Terry Hallett, so I doubt a first team coach will be appointed until that's been sorted out. "In the meantime, it's important to freshen up the squad ahead of next season after finishing third in the one that's just finished. "It was disappointing having won the championship and Herald Cup 12 months earlier, but we shall have to work even harder to do better in 2008/2009. "Upton Athletic are the benchmark in that respect, because they're a great advertisement for what can be achieved if you put your back into it." Castle is already buoyed ahead of next season with news that striker Mike Fox will be available. "We missed him badly this season, so he's like a new signing, plus we've some young players coming through to play alongside and benefit from the more experienced campaigners such as George McDonald. "My only regret is that we're losing Bovey Tracey to the South West Peninsula League, because I've always enjoyed battles against them." Castle's reappointment was welcomed by club chairman Dick Scagell after Villa had interviewed a handful of candidates for the post. "He proved to the committee that he still has lots of ambition, and convinced us of where he wants to take the club, not least after we move to Brokenbury Park. "That's something like two seasons away, but negotiations are progressing well with Torbay Council for planning permission," said Scagell, adding: "We also know how Adam operates, and that he's a winner." Castle's most successful season was 2006/2007 when Villa won both the Premier Division and the Herald Express sponsored Herald Cup. They also lifted the Herald Cup the previous season having finished runners-up in the championship, while Castle has also steered Villa to a Division One title, the Dartmouth Cup and two Charity Shield triumphs.
Utd forever May 17th, 2008 - 8:21 AM	Re: Adam castle - new Villa Manager So castle is going back take it no one else applied then!!! Bottled it when the going got tough and now comes back when the sdl is the weakest it has been for a while. The same players that didnt listen will be at the club this season so whats going to change.How long before he leaves again. He is making villa look a joke. For a club that aspriations of moving up the league ladder.
player May 17th, 2008 - 10:13 AM	Re: Adam castle - new Villa Manager as the sdl is 'at its weakest' maybe now utd will have a chance of winning something....
Utd forever May 17th, 2008 - 12:28 PM	Re: Adam castle - new Villa Manager Proably especially when adam stops off after christmas !!!
player May 18th, 2008 - 10:21 AM	Re: Adam castle - new Villa Manager love it, so your pinning your hopes of utd winning something on the back of what adam/villa do? shows what a joke your club is, blew your chance last season matey
Galmpton Supporter May 23rd, 2008 - 2:55 PM	Re: Adam castle - new Villa Manager I was so pleased to read that Adam had changed his mind and returned to club management. With so many clubs pulling their clubs out, the SDL is on the verge of melt down and they need characters like Adam involved now more than ever. Good luck Adam, with you back at the helm Brixham Villa will go on to be one of the most successful clubs in SDL history. Galmpton Supporter