BRYAN Small has been appointed player-coach at Stourport Swifts after Kevin Sweeney's departure.

Sweeney quit as Dave Titterton's right-hand man to take over a coaching role with Southern League rivals Rushall Olympic.

It brought an end to his three-year association with the club, although manager Titterton is not shedding a tear at the loss.

Titterton was far from complimentary in his appraisal of experienced Sweeney. He wasted no time in appointing ex-Aston Villa defender Small.

"It was a joint decision that Kevin moved on," said Titterton. "Rushall is three miles from his home and I wanted to bring in somebody new for coaching.

"I want new ideas and new things brought to the table. In non-league, you've got to turn up for training and be jovial with a bit of passion. You have to put on good sessions and get a sweat on.

"The players were not getting that enthusiasm from Kevin. The game has changed over the years and passed Kevin by.

"He also went to watch a lot of games, but what disappointed me was that not once did he recommend a player to me that would bring something to the team.

"With Kevin leaving, it frees up a bit of money so that we can bring another player to the club."

Titterton added: "I've brought Bryan in as player-coach and he is in it for the experience. He's in the process of doing his coaching badges. Bryan will contribute a lot and I've got 110 per cent trust in him."

Stourport are without a game tomorrow and their visit to Thame has been put back to Sunday, September 18.