Spedding is now in charge at Bourton Rovers FC (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Spedding is now in charge at Bourton Rovers FC

NEWLY appointed Bourton Rovers manager Tony Spedding faces a tough baptism in his first game in charge.

For night's (Thursday) home friendly at the Rissington Road ground against Hellenic League Premier Division outfit Chipping Norton will give the Rovers players, both new and old, a first opportunity to impress their new boss.

Despite this being his first season in charge of Rovers' first team, relegated back to Division Two of the Northern Senior League, Spedding is no stranger to management at Bourton.

The keen roadrunner was at the helm of a successful young reserve side that in the mid-late 90s that swept through the Cheltenham League to division two before Spedding took a step back to concentrate on breaking his goal of running a marathon in under three hours - a feat in which he has now achieved.

Spedding is also no stranger to Hellenic League opposition having played several seasons at the now defunct Moreton Town, who back then were often competing for Hellenic League honours.

The appointment of Spedding sees the outgoing of Northleach- based manager John Robson after one season in charge.

Despite the disappointment of relegation, Robson took charge of the club in a transitional period where several of the players had either moved on to a higher grade of football or had reached retirement status.

Robson even led the Rovers, albeit briefly, to the top of the table until a poor run of form after the New Year period eventually led to relegation alongside Forest Of Dean side Lydbrook Athletic.

The Chipping Norton game is the first of a series of friendlies before Bourton's Northern Senior League Cup opening round tie at home to St Mark's.

Training continues at 6.20pm on Wednesday nights and any new faces will be made more than welcome.

Bourton's friendly fixtures are scheduled as follows starting with tonight's home game versus Chipping Norton FC, 6.45pm ko.

The rest are: Gas Green (Sat, home, July 19, 3pm); Dynamos (Weds, home, July 30, 6.30pm); Northleach Town (Sat, home, August 2, 3pm); Beeches (Thurs-day, home, August 14, 6.30pm).

Northern Senior League Cup 1st Round: St Mark's (Weds, home, August 6, 6pm).