21st April 2010

WEYMOUTH FOOTBALL: Two year deal for Hutch

WEYMOUTH’S favourite footballing son was given a standing ovation when Ian Hutchinson returned to the Wessex Stadium last Saturday to herald what fans hope will be a return to normality and change of fortune.

After a season verging on a soap-opera the reinstating of Hutch and his assistant Andy Mason can only be a good thing for the club, and although in an interview with the View from Weymouth the amiable Teesider said; “I know that football is fickle and you live by results,” everyone will be willing that they succeed.

After agreeing and signing two-year contracts on Friday, after being introduced to the club, the two watched the game against Hampton & Richmond from the director’s box in the company of Bob Lucas.

“It was very flattering but a bit embarrassing out on the pitch, but it’s great to be back at the club and in the company of people like Bob who has been part of this club for 50 years.

“Our first priority is to stabilise the club on the playing side. It’s going to take time and will be a long process, that why we needed a two year contract, but we can achieve it.

“I want to test myself and the players at the highest level, but the first priority is to make sure we stay in whichever league of the Zameretto next season and build from there.

“The budget is very, very small whichever league we are in and so we will be looking to bring youngsters through the club process whilst having a few experienced heads in the team.

“Andy and I want to show the youngsters that there are places in the side if they work hard, they just need to look at Jamie Frampton and Ollie Tribe who have been tremendous this season.

“We need to stabilise the club all the way down the chain. Not just the first team. We have a plan to restructure the club to help us achieve our aim.”

Asked if caretaker manager and player Andy Harris was part of their plans for the future, Hutch said: “very much hope so. Andy has done a fantastic job in a very turbulent season and all credit to him since he took the reins.

“He is a good friend of mine and I hope he will be at the club next season playing a part, but he is going away for the summer and have a think about it all.”

On new acquisitions the former Bridport manager said: “Andy and I have been looking around already and we have a few ideas but we are naturally keeping them close to our chest at the moment. We need to add in certain areas and have already spoken to a few.

“However we have a good crop of youngsters at the club at the moment, and there is a big chance for some of these lads to make it, but there are no promises.”

West Dorset needs Weymouth to compete once again with Dorchester, and whilst it will take time for Hutch and Mace to bring them back to the fore, there will be an awful lot of people willing them to be successful.

WEYMOUTH FOOTBALL: Two year deal for Hutch

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