Popular Davo is the model citizen for City

By Matt Richbell

NEW DEAL: Craig Davis

CLUB favourite Craig Davis says he is “absolutely made up” to have agreed a new contract at Winchester City.

Davis, a former Cardiff City youngster in his playing days, joined City as interim player-boss from Hampshire rivals Fleet Town in the 2016-17 campaign and has been at the helm ever since.

In which time, Davis has after leading the Citizens to promotion to the Southern Premier South at Step 3 last season for the first time in their history.

In all, Davis has managed well over 200 games at City, winning more than half of those and averaging over two goals per game, while club record runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy have also been achieved.

It’s a record which has caught the eye of several admiring higher-ranked clubs, but Davis insists he is more than happy to commit his future to the Citizens until the end of the 2023-24 season.

He said: “I’m made up about the contract. I’ve never needed one and money is irrelevant to me.

“I’ve wanted to move the club forward as best as I can and it’s well known I’ve had several chances to leave, but I wanted to know the club is moving forward.

“Knowing the club has gone up a league unexpectedly, and there’s really exciting plans afoot off the pitch as well. I love working for the directors, chairman – and I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”

Delighted chairman Ken Raisbeck said: “Without Craig’s leadership, we simply would not be where we are.

“Craig has so impressed us from the beginning with his work ethic, the way he deals with the directors and the performances he gets from the lads on the pitch, so for us it was a very easy and straightforward thing to do.”