JAMIE Reid has been named assistant manager at Fairford Town, writes Chris Tanner.

The experienced former Gloucester City and Cirencester Town midfielder relinquished his position as player-manager of Hardwicke earlier this week and has agreed a switch to Cinder Lane, where he will link up with another former Centurion, Jody Bevan.

Reid is looking forward to a new chapter in his career, albeit in familiar surrounding after scoring once in two games for the Reds last season.

“Leaving Hardwicke is one of the toughest decisions I have had to make because I have good friends there and it’s a club with good people,” he told fairfordtownfc.co.uk. “I wouldn’t have left (Hardwicke) if I didn’t feel it was a project worth buying into, but Jody’s a top bloke and he’s well liked in football.

“Fairford is a well-run club and they’ve got good people behind the scenes there too. I played a few games for them last year and I enjoyed it, but now it’s a chance to continue that progression and hopefully help them push on.”

Reid made almost 100 appearances in Gloucester colours in two spells and adds considerable experience to the Fairford set-up, in terms of playing and coaching. Fairford boss Bevan is delighted to finally have his man: “I’m absolutely delighted to have got Jamie on board. He was the first person I thought of to replace Will Steadman once he had to step down in January due to family commitments.

“Jamie has performed incredibly well managing Hardwicke in the Gloucestershire County League over the last two seasons and brings a wealth of experience from his playing career in the Southern League where he was a teammate of mine at both Gloucester City and Cirencester Town.”

Bevan added: “Jamie will be a huge asset to both myself and the club both on and off the pitch. Whilst I do not expect Jamie to be playing every single game, he is only 30-years old and he has plenty to offer still and his knowledge, experience and know how is a huge boost to our existing squad. I know it has been a huge wrench for him to leave Hardwicke but I am really confident that by coming to Fairford, Jamie can push on and achieve success in both a playing and coaching capacity.”

Pre-season training will begin at Fairford on Tuesday 19th June, 7pm at Cinder Lane with new players welcome.