Contracts for management duo (From Dorset Echo)

Contracts for management duo

8:47pm Tuesday 5th January 2010 in Club News

NEW CONTRACT: Ian Hutchinson

CLEAR the air talks between Weymouth manager Ian Hutchinson and chairman George Rolls have resulted in Hutchinson and assistant Andy Mason being offered new contracts.

Terms have been verbally agreed by all three parties, bringing an end to speculation about Hutchinson’s future that has grown and grown since Christmas.

It has come as a great relief to Hutchinson, who can now focus on the job in hand of guiding the Wessex Stadium-based outfit to Blue Square South safety.

“I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been a hard week with what’s been going on but I’ve had a phone call and the chairman has offered a contract to me and Andy until the end of the season,” he said. “These last couple of weeks it’s been a case of looking over my shoulder with rumours and certain managers being at games but from day one I’ve tried to be as professional as I can with everything.

“I had a discussion with George yesterday, we’ve thrashed a few things out and he has come back with that contract offer, which me and Andy fully appreciate.

“Me and George are two very different characters and personalities but the one thing we have in common is we do both desperately want to keep Weymouth in this division.”

Rolls, formerly chairman of Cambridge United, took over as owner of the Terras at the end of November and has since seen Hutchinson guide the Terras to a win and a draw against near-neighbours Dorchester, as well as a narrow defeat to high-flying Braintree Town.

And although the side is much improved since the Teesider took over the manager’s role at the Wessex Stadium, rumours were circulating over the festive period that he was to be ousted by Rolls and replaced by a new man, Garry Hill being the most likely candidate.

Hill was in attendance at the game on New Year’s Day before Rolls also admitted to the Echo that he had brought in signings without Hutchinson’s knowledge.

However, despite all fingers pointing towards a possible exit of Hutchinson, Rolls offered the management duo contracts to the end of the season, which have been verbally agreed between the parties.

Rolls said: “I’ve obviously now been at the club, assessed the situation fully, seen and spoken to some of the players and know that they are happy with the training methods and what Hutch is doing.

“Results have started to turn and obviously it is a results driven business. For me, he has picked up enough points to warrant a permanent contract until the end of the season.”

He added: “I’m planning to stay at Weymouth for a long time, people won’t scare me off.

“I’ve had veiled threats since I’ve been here but George Rolls is here to stay and hopefully get Weymouth back into the Blue Square Premier as soon as possible.

“This year we want to stay up in the Blue Square South.

“I think Ian deserves his chance to carry the job out that he started about eight weeks ago.”

“Unfortunately there’s been a lot of speculation and a lot of unfounded words going round about me that I’m going to do this and that. I’m my own man and person so I will do what is right.”

And following the agreement to stay, Hutchinson’s attentions have immediately turned towards Saturday’s trip to Welling United.

“Nothing changes in our league position,” he said. “It’s still the same on the pitch and there’s still a lot of hard work to be done as ever and we will be giving our all, which we have done throughout.

“We can now look forward to four months of sheer hard graft.”