Football

A MAKE or break spell has begun at Bridport Football Club according to manager Kevin Donovan.

The Bees chief, who offered his resignation after they were relegated on Saturday, says things need to change for the club to return to former glories.

At tomorrow's board meeting at the Beehive, to which he has invited the public, he will outline his ideas and allow the committee to decide on the club's future.

Donovan who has been the club's manager since November, said: "All I've done for six months is put a sticking plaster on it.

"Whilst relegation is desperately disappointing for everybody at the club we now have the opportunity to rebuild for the future without the pressure that playing in the premier league brings."

Donovan believes it would be hard to find ready-made players in this area to jump straight into that future.

This is because over recent years money has widened the gap in ability between local football and the Western League.

However, he can see plenty of teenage talent that can make the grade with good coaching and a bucket load of commitment.

He uses former Perry Street players Tim and Tony Cunningham as prime examples.

Donovan said: "They have finally made the transition to being good Western League players but they will accept how hard they've had to work and how much they have learnt.

"They are an example of two young men who are trying to make the best of themselves.

"Now we need local players prepared to make the same effort."

To make this happen though he needs to be sure that his players are supported and appreciated by the club.

He said: "You need to get people in the right habits whilst they are young.

"But it's very hard nowadays to get youngsters to be dedicated to football because there is so much else they could be doing.

"The good clubs like Hallen do it.

"Every player feels like he's a special player and that the club really appreciates him.

"They've got it sorted out off the field.

"They are an example to us of where we've got to get.

"We'll never get to be Bideford or Frome because of the money but you could be Hallen if you do it properly.

"There are lots of things we can do for next season to make us a lot stronger as a club and hopefully they'll let me do it."

But the boss is not planning to start again from scratch and will invite his current squad back next term.

"They deserve a chance to have another go," he said.

"Dan Wise travels from Wincanton for training, travels from Wincanton for a match and nobody could have put more into it than he has.

"Hopefully local people have realised now how much they care."

And it is these supporters who Donovan values as highly as anyone and believes should feel a part of their club.

"I'm happy if any local person wants to come to the meeting on Saturday at two o'clock," he said.

"I don't think it should be a closed meeting.

"Anybody that feels they could put something into the club or wants a say in how their local town club is run in the future should be prepared to come along."