Cullompton Rangers Football Club are delighted to announce Richard Pears as their new manager.
Richard returns to the club after 15 years, having played for the club from age 11. During his previous tenure, Cullompton finished 5th in the Peninsula League, the highest position the club have achieved. Richard also managed Cullompton during the famous FA Vase encounter that went to a replay against Willand Rovers in 2009.
Richard was recently appointed manager of Bridgwater United 6 weeks ago and Chairman, Clive Jones wanted to personally thank Bridgwater for their support with Richard’s transfer.
“We are extremely grateful to Bridgwater’s owner Ian Davis for allowing us to speak to Richard and for supporting his move to Cullompton. We have an excellent relationship with Bridgwater and are very grateful for Ian’s help in this situation”
Richard and his family live in Cullompton and he brings a wealth of experience having managed and been assistant manager at clubs at Step 3 and 4, such as Tiverton Town, Bideford and Exmouth Town.
As a player, Richard played professional football under Alan Ball and Terry Cooper at Exeter City and he played semi-professional football for Tiverton Town winning the FA Vase at Wembley in 1998.
We caught up with Richard today following his appointment and he is delighted and looking forward to working with the players, management team and board.
“I am delighted to be back at my “home club” Cullompton, as I never thought I would get the chance again. My wife, my son, parents and brother all still live in Cullompton and it will be great to be back at the club with them all watching.
I can’t thank Ian Davis (Bridgwater United) enough for all his support and understanding in this situation. Ian gave me my chance to be a manager again and we built a brilliant rapport very quickly. I never wanted this outcome with Bridgwater and can only apologise to the players, coaching team and supporters, as they have been first class. Results and performances were improving and I hope, I leave them on a better footing than when I joined them six weeks ago.
I know a lot of people will call me out as “Pearsey 10 clubs”, but the opportunity to go back to Cullompton under Clive with Matthew, Chris and John was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I am 48 now and all I want is to be at Cullompton for years to come and help the club achieve Western League Football. There are some really talented young players at the club and I hope I can continue to build on the foundation Steve Orchard created.
I also want to retain the current management team and I will be speaking to them this week before I meet all the players on Tuesday in preparation for our game on Saturday against Bovey Tracey.”
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