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Ash gets the nod as Magpies' permanent
boss
by
Ky Capel
Manager Ashley Vickers has been handed the reins at the Avenue Stadium
on a permanent basis.
The 37-year-old was made caretaker-boss on November 22, following
the dismissal of Roy O’Brien, and has since led the Magpies
clear of Blue Square South danger.
Vickers’ efforts in charge have now been rewarded by chairman
Shaun Hearn, who claimed it was “an easy decision” to
appoint him in a permanent capacity.
He said: “Ash has turned things around since taking charge
and has made it an easy decision.”
The appointment of a successor to O’Brien had been delayed
due to ongoing legal issues with former chairman Eddie Mitchell.
But, despite the new rolling contract for Vickers, there has been
no resolution to the above legal action.
Hearn added: “Nothing’s happened yet but hopefully
we won’t have to wait too long.”
Vickers meanwhile, who will continue to be assisted by Phil Simkin,
is “honoured” to get the nod.
He said: “I feel absolutely honoured to take the job and
to manage such a great club. It would be fantastic if we could
deliver some success for the town.
“I’m honoured to lead such a fine group of players
and slowly but surely we will get to where we want to be.
“I’ve had a great career and played for a lot of non-League
clubs, as well as the England non-League side, but this is the
biggest honour of my career. I will give it my all.”
The news is sure to give the county town side a lift following
Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Braintree Town.
Vickers was sent to the stand as Dorchester were left to reflect
on what “might have been a different story”.
The Magpies were handed the perfect opportunity to take an early
lead when they were awarded their fourth penalty in as many weeks.
However, leading marksman Matt Groves was denied and the visitors
were made to pay as goals from Joe Bruce and George Purcell boosted
the Iron’s chances of making the end of season play-offs.
The second home effort proved a difficult one to stomach for Vickers
and his troops, as referee Ashvin Degnarain played a pivotal role.
Dorchester’s boss was so outraged by the intervention that
the man in black dismissed him from the dugout.
Describing the inflammatory incident, Vickers said: “Nick
Crittenden tried to play a pass on the edge of the box, the ref
got in the way and as Critts made the tackle the ref deemed it
a foul.
“So rather than give a drop ball he gave a free-kick, from
which Braintree scored.
“It was an unfathomable decision but the ref did apologise
to Phil Simkin when he saw him after the game.
“We were devastated by the decision, I was absolutely livid
about it and he sent me off for it.
“I perhaps shouldn’t have said what I did, even though
I didn’t swear, but I just felt he was Braintree’s
12th man. It’s an emotional game and emotions run high but
I’ve been told there will be no repercussions.”
And Vickers was left to ponder what could have been a very different
outcome, had Groves taken his season tally to 12 in all competitions
with that early spot-kick.
He added: “To be fair we started off ever so well and got
a penalty, but we did not take the opportunity. Fair play to Groover
though for stepping up and taking the responsibility.
“We more than matched Braintree but they got a goal from
a set-piece, which arguably shouldn’t have been given in
the first place, then the referee had a hand in their second.
“The work-rate was phenomenal and we should have got a share
of the spoils. It might have been a different story had we scored
the penalty but I won’t lambaste Groover for it because it’s
a massive responsibility and he scores 99 per cent of the penalties
he takes.”
The Magpies are set to host Bournemouth Poppies tomorrow night
in a friendly match. One man who won’t feature is Jules Emati-Emati
as the striker has now left the club.
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