Gloucester City promote Marc Richards to first team manager role

By Adam Ellis
Relegation-threatened Gloucester City have placed their faith in Marc Richards by announcing him as their new manager.
Richards makes the move into the main seat at the Jubilee Stadium having worked as assistant manager to Tim Harris, and is now tasked with turning around the Tigers form which has seen them slump to 18th in the National League South.
In a club statement confirming the news, the Tigers said: “Gloucester City AFC is very happy to announce the appointment of Marc Richards to the position of first team manager.
“After a period of uncertainty, we believe that Marc will bring the stability which is required and he will continue to develop the players within the squad implementing his own style of play.
“As assistant director of elite sport at Hartpury College, he also brings with him a range of professional experience of developing young players all the way through to international level within a football programme which has established itself as one of the best in the UK.”
City have claimed just three victories in their last 15 matches in all competitions which led Harris to resign earlier this month, with Harris admitting “we don't have any real direction as a football club.
“You end up trying to keep it together, working endless hours, but you can't keep hitting your head against a brick wall.”
Former player Richards did not shy away from agreeing that it had been a testing time at Gloucester but remained upbeat that the current playing squad could realise their potential as a collective in trying to beat the drop.
“It's obviously been an extremely difficult few weeks for everyone involved with Gloucester City AFC with the recent departures and I can't thank Tim enough for what he has done for me since my involvement with the club back in 2007.
“When Tim decided to leave I needed time to reflect on what was best moving forward.
“I'm really excited to have the opportunity to manage Gloucester City AFC. The current squad of players have not shown their full potential yet this season so I'm really looking forward to seeing what they are capable of achieving not only this season but in the future.”
Striker Will Morford has accepted the role of assistant manager/player to help Richards both on and off the pitch.