IN SAFE HANDS; Outgoing Black Dog manager Alan Heseltine, left, welcomes new boss Rob Pavey to the fold outside the town centre pub watched by club captain Andy Laidlow, back, left, and landlord Ian Tibble with daughter Madison
Alan Heseltine has shocked the Domino's Weymouth Sunday League with his decision to call it a day as boss of perennial top-flight title chasers the Black Dog.
His last act as manager was to ensure the long-term future of the club by inviting Royal Oak player-boss Rob Pavey to bring his outfit over to the Dog next term and the former Weymouth Working Men's Club FC manager has, after careful consideration, accepted the challenge.
And what a challenge that will be for Pavey - replacing the most successful manager in local Sunday league
history who, over his near ten-year tenure in charge, led the Dog to five league titles - four in a row in their most dominant period (2000-04).
Add to that three Len Mahoney Cup triumphs, countless Shaun Taylor Charity Shield appearances, county Intermediate Cup glory last year and numerous successes in the six-a-sides means Heseltine will be quite an act to follow.
When quizzed on his reasons for quitting the Sunday morning scene Heseltine, who has recently been linked with the vacant Weymouth Sports manager's role, simply believes it is time for a fresh challenge.
The Yorkshireman said, "Aside from some personal issues I now feel it is time to go into other fields and try something completely fresh.
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"I think I've gone as far as I can with the Dog and over a long period we won everything there was to be won.
"I am glad the club's future with Rob coming in is assured and I'd like to thank landlord Ian Tibble for his tremendous support and all the players who donned the black and white for their commitment to me over the years."
Meanwhile it appears the lure of the Black Dog was too exciting an opportunity to miss out on for Pavey who has expressed his delight at what the challenge holds for him and his Royal Oak players.
He said: "I am looking forward to re-establishing the Dog as the top team in the Domino's Premiership.
"I think a fresh approach will pay dividends and, what with the players that follow me from the Oak, Alan's players who would like to stay on
and the new boys already penned
in for next term, then there is sure
to be exciting times ahead for this club.
"Alan has laid firm foundations and I look forward to incorporating my own ideas to turn our fortunes around - I'd like to thank Alan for the magnificent job he has done and for giving me this opportunity."
Following last weekend's exciting finals day at the Wessex Stadium, the Domino's League season draws to a close tomorrow at the Marsh where teams will contest the annual six-a-sides.
The event kicks off with group games from 10.30am followed by the second round knockout stage at around 1.30pm.
TOMORROW'S SIX-A-SIDE GROUPS:
Group A: Golden Lion, Clean Connections, Britannia, Tuatara A, Duke of Albany B, Albert.
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