Simkin tips Ash to be 'top manager' (From Dorset Echo)

Simkin tips Ash to be 'top manager'

9:02am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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Dorchester Town assistant-boss Phil Simkin has tipped Ashley Vickers for a bright future in football management.

Vickers was announced as the permanent successor to Roy O’Brien last Sunday, 16 weeks after being drafted in as caretaker-manager, and Simkin could not be happier for the 37-year-old.

The former Hamworthy United chief, who will continue to act as Vickers’ right-hand man, said: “It’s nice that it has all been settled and we can start making long-term plans, which obviously we couldn’t do when we didn’t know what the club’s plans were.

“I’m delighted to be back at the club on a more permanent basis. I’ve spent most of my career at Dorchester so it’s great to be here again.

“I’m more delighted to be working with Ash, who I have great respect for. He has done an excellent job so far and I believe he will be a top manager.

“We get on well and complement each other, so I’m delighted with the decision as we can do it our way.

“Since Shaun Hearn has taken over as chairman, the club has returned to being more community-based – and that’s how it should be.

“There’s a great atmosphere at the moment and everyone recognises the effort the lads are putting in.”

Having secured their own futures at the county town club, Simkin and Vickers are now keen to ensure the fate of Dorchester’s key players.

Simkin added: “We are delighted with the way the lads have reacted since we came in and I would like to see us keep them on board.

“Part of the job involves looking to improve the squad, which we will try to do, but it’s always a balancing act with finances.”

The Magpies entertain struggling Weston-super-Mare on Saturday and Simkin has urged his men not to take their opponents lightly.

He said: “It’s going to be a very tough game as Weston are fighting for their lives. They will come as underdogs so we have to be up for it.

“Our league status is not mathematically certain yet but we are fairly safe and we’ve got seven games remaining in which we will try to get as many points as we can.”