VERWOOD Town have announced a new management team, bringing in Darren Shepherd and Danny Tabor from neighbours Wimborne Town.
The Potters had been looking for a new manager since club legend Adie Arnold stepped down last month, with Arnold ending a near 30-year association with the club in order to retire from football.
Shepherd and Tabor, alongside kit-man Paul Mitchell who has also joined the club, arrive from Wimborne, where they managed the club’s development side.
The club released a statement, saying: “Verwood Town FC are very pleased to announce the new First Team Management team of Darren Shepherd and Danny Tabor.
“Previously both Darren and Danny were involved with Wimborne Town FC development squad helping to develop young talent.
“Verwood Town FC looks forward to working with Darren and Danny as we move into a new era and wish them every success for the future.
“We are also pleased to announce Paul Mitchell will be joining the team as kit manager.”
It appears that whilst at Wimborne the pair’s titles were manager and assistant, the duo will officially co-manage the Potters.
On Twitter, Wimborne thanked the outgoing duo, stating:
We would like thank @DarShepherd8 @dt14 for all their hard work at WTFC and wish them the best of luck at @verwoodtownfc
— Wimborne Town FC (@WimborneTownFC) January 3, 2022
Tabor also took to Twitter to voice his thanks to the Magpies, tweeting:
Feels odd to have stood down from @WimborneTownFC enjoyed my time there so much with Dar Shep
— Danny Tabor (@dt14) January 3, 2022
A big thanks to everyone at the club, inc the board (especially Terry), to the 1st team managers we worked alongside, all the staff, players, volunteers and supporters
Will miss you all
Co-manager Shepherd ends a 10-year spell at Wimborne with the move, stating on social media:
Have thoroughly enjoyed my 10 years at WTFC. I would like to thank everyone involved at the club during that time, especially all of the players I have managed and coached. ⚫️⚪️ https://t.co/6EOkRp4M69
— Darren Shepherd (@DarShepherd8) January 3, 2022
The new management team were in the dug-out as Verwood beat local rivals Ringwood 3-2 in a pulsating derby on Bank Holiday Monday.
Ollie Davies handed Potters the lead heading into the break, before a second-half packed with action.
Davies doubled his tally and his side’s advantage just three minutes into the final period.
Both sides were then awarded penalties, with Harry Smith converting Ringwood’s spot-kick, and Davies rounding off a hat-trick from the spot.
Ringwood were reduced to 10 men after Joss Holford was dismissed, but the hosts still gave Verwood a scare when Harry Smith grabbed a second with quarter of an hour left to go.
The away side held on to give Shepherd and Tabor a debut win.
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