Poulton named new Chichester boss
MARK Poulton admits he has left Hayling United with a heavy heart after being named the new manager of Chichester City.
The Humbugs boss brought his 18-month rein at The College Ground to an end last week after accepting an offer from the Sussex league side.
It was a decision he didn't take lightly, particularly after assembling a team who could compete with the best at Wessex League level during his time in charge.
But Poulton, who will be joined at Oaklands Park by coach Tom Menaldino, admits it was time to move on, with the job at Chichester too good to turn down.
"It was always going to be a tough decision and one that I had to make if my own drive and ambition to manage at a higher level would come to fruition," he said.
"In fact, I was already getting things organised at Hayling for next season when I heard that someone had recommended me to take over at Chichester.
"And that started a chain of events that took me into a couple of interviews with the board of directors at Oaklands Park.
"I then realised it was a challenge I couldn't turn down, no matter what my feelings were for my position at Hayling."
Poulton acknowledged the job at Oaklands wouldn't be easy, but he has already begun recruiting players in order to bring the good times back to the Sussex league outfit.
"My coach Tom Menaldino has agreed to come with me and so too have several players who served me well at Hayling.
"I have already brought in Tom Chapman from Fareham and my budget allows me much more scope in attracting quality players.
"It's a challenge that I can look forward to," said the man who took over the reigns at United in February 2009 when Matt Parr left to join Fareham.
"The players who will be joining me will be the backbone of the side and are equally ambitious – and that makes for what should be a good season.
"I had some very good times at Hayling and I am very grateful for being given the opportunity to manage them.
"But football being what it is, the chance to take a position like I've been offered at Chichester is too good to turn down."
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Weather for Hayling
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
