Cottesmore AFC manager Rich Giblin plans to step down at the end of the season

Rich Giblin feels Cottesmore needs a 'refresh' after announcing his intention to step down from the managerial helm at the Rutland club this week.

The club stalwart wants to end his four-and-a-half year tenure at the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division side if a suitable replacement can be found.

The announcement with a month of the season remaining has been made with Giblin seeing out the current campaign at Westray Park.

He explained: "It's more around the longer term plan for the club and we just need a refresh.

"We're doing it now rather than the end of the season when everyone is out of the football mind-set.

"I'm hoping to stay involved in some capacity but that depends on who comes in."

Giblin was appointed as joint manager with Alex Cross after a long-serving playing career at Cottesmore.

When Cross departed to join the management team at Stamford AFC, Giblin took sole charge and led Cottesmore to some strong finishes in the Premier Division.

They were on course for promotion to step six of the non-league pyramid in a couple of campaigns before Covid curtailed their plans.

They also enjoyed a club record-breaking run to the first round proper of the FA Vase while a step seven side and also enjoyed success in the Ancaster Cup.

Giblin added: "It's been wholly positive when you look back.

"We have been punching above our weight and we've been doing it with lads who have a love for the club, its facilities and the people around it.

"We need to find someone who understands that. It's a bit of a unique role and this is a good opportunity to see who is out there because it's the right time for me to step aside with family, work and everything else that comes with it.

"We're a fairly well established club in the Premier Division which is great for a small, village club. Our aspirations are to push on and move forward and hopefully that will come.

"It is a special club to me and a lot of others as well when you see the likes of Allan Westray who has been involved for such a long time so it's got to be the right fit and we won't just jump at someone."

The current campaign sees Cottesmore in ninth spot with six matches of the season still remaining.

They have been plagued by inconsistent results and have been hit by the loss of a number of key players.

Giblin said: "Most of the lads in the squad are now knocking on 30 or mid-thirties and we've felt that a little bit this season.

"We need some new blood and it makes sense to see who else is out there.

"We've just missed out on promotion a couple of times in the past but everything that could have gone wrong this season has.

"We've had no luck and the issue of consistency has been really difficult for us this year.

"It's part of the reason why I think it's time for me to do it now. We need a new group to come in and add to what we've already got and hopefully galvanise it because there are some great people around the club."

Anyone interested in the management role at the club should email Steve Duffy at Chairmancafc@outlook.com for more information by April 17.

The club will be looking at options for a new first team manager and the existing management team/coaches are willing to support if required to help ensure a successful start.