Phil Male takes sole charge of Tividale after Ross Thorpe’s exit

PHIL MALE will go it alone as Tividale manager after his joint-boss Ross Thorpe left the club following Saturday’s defeat to Daventry Town.

Male and Thorpe were appointed by the West Midlands club in the summer after Ian Long resigned, citing drastic budget cuts.

They finished eighth in their first season in the Evo-Stik NPL Division One South but have struggled this term and currently sit bottom of the league.

They’ve won just two of their 22 league games so far this season, are winless in 13, and are eight points adrift of safety following the 2-1 home defeat to Daventry.

A club statement said: “Tividale Football Club can confirm that Ross Thorpe has left the club with immediate effect following Saturday’s narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of Daventry Town.

“We would like to place on record our thanks to Ross for his efforts since being appointed as joint-manager in the summer, and we wish him the very best of luck for his future endeavours.

“Phil Male will take the first team managerial role of Tividale Football Club in a sole capacity ahead of our Boxing Day fixture against Romulus at Coles Lane, working alongside first team coach, Raj Noor.

“Christmas is a crucial time from a fixture perspective, and our immediate attention is not only to prepare the team for Saturday’s game at Romulus, but also our home fixture just 48 hours later with Market Drayton Town on Bank Holiday Monday.”