MALVERN Town have confirmed that co-manager Dene Whittal-Williams has stepped down from his position in the dugout due to family commitments.

Instead, he will take on the role of Director of Football Development, which will involve strengthening and overseeing the player pathway system as well as mentoring our ever-expanding coaching staff.

Having served the club as a no-nonsense central defender during his playing days, he stepped into the managerial hot-seat along with Lee Hooper in May 2018 and the duo have enjoyed plenty of success over the past three years, culminating in deserved promotion to Step 5.

“I am so proud to have been involved in the great progress the club has made in recent years,” said Whittal-Williams.

“We have achieved so much and the partnership with Hoops has been really enjoyable. It’s been a pleasure to work alongside him and I know that the club is really going to kick-on from here and do well.

“There are so many brilliant memories. It’s been a group effort with everyone playing their part; we set out to create a strong bond between all involved with the club, players, staff, volunteers and supporters, and we have achieved that.

“I now look forward to being able to spend more time with my family. Malvern Town FC come a close second and I am delighted to be able to maintain my involvement with the club through this new development role as we look towards an exciting future.”

Chairman, Chris Pinder, was full of praise for the influence that Whittal-Williams has had over the years.

“Dene has brought so much to the club,” he said.

“He has increased our level of professionalism and pushed me to grow the club into something bigger. He can take credit for where we’re at with the player pathway and the success we have had as a club.

“It was important to keep him involved in some way and tap into the knowledge and vision he has to continue taking the club forward, so this director of football development position fits nicely around his personal circumstances and works well for everyone.

“He has complemented Hoops extremely well and the way they have worked together is the reason why the team has done so well over the past few seasons and deservedly secured promotion.”

The final word went to Lee Hooper; “It’s been a roller-coaster and we’ve become even closer friends over these past three years. I speak to him more than I do my wife!

“I’ve learned so much from him and that will stand me in good stead for the challenges ahead.”