Weymouth role for former Team Bath boss Tillson

Weymouth chairman Ian Ridley believes that new management duo Matt Hale and former Team Bath boss Andy Tillson are the perfect team to return the club to the Blue Square Premier.

Former Weymouth defender Hale, 30, who holds a UEFA 'A' licence and ran the football academy for 16-18 year olds at the University of Bath last season, has been offered the job as a manager.

He will be assisted by former Bristol Rovers defender Tillson, who enjoyed a successful three-year stint in charge of Team Bath before a lack of finance forced them to pull out of the non-league pyramid last month.

The pair were unveiled at a press conference yesterday and will be tasked with salvaging something from the wreckage of last season, which ended in relegation to the Blue Square South for the cash-strapped club.

"Matty and Andy both worked in the Conference South last season so they know what it is all about at that level," said Ridley.

"They also know where to get players, which is very important for us. They know how to put a young side together at the right price and we just feel they will be a good team that can help deliver what we are trying to achieve."

Hale became a huge favourite during two spells as a player at the Wessex Stadium and Ridley added: "It helps that he knows the club inside out, but that is not the only reason we opted for him.

"We are not just going to employ someone because they are a playing legend. Other playing legends also applied for the role and came very close but Matty had the upper hand due to his coaching qualifications and experience."

Ridley hinted that the club were looking to build a young, hungry side able to compete at the top of the Blue Square South.

"The great thing for Matty is that he has a blank canvas," he added. "He has seen a lot of players in that league and I am sure there may be some at Team Bath, who are now free agents, that he may well look to bring in."