Market Drayton Town Football Club

Feb 5, 2010

Simon Line's back

Simon Line, pictured above, has returned to Market Drayton Town as manager - thanks to the intervention of the club's present player-manager, goalkeeper Andy Pryce, seen below.

Clubman Pryce selflessly suggested he should step down when he and Line, a free agent since quitting at Hednesford last month, met up for a chat and drink after Saturday's 1-1 UniBond League draw with Rushall Olympic.

During their conversation, Line expessed an interest in returning to Greenfields in a supporting role to his former team mate - they played together when the Town club was formed some seven years ago.

But Pryce went a surprise step further, arguing Line should be manager with himself as deputy and Mick Murphy continuing as club coach.

Pryce, who has done a great job stabilising the side after an alarming slide under a series of managers following Line's departure, said: "I felt it was the sensible option for the club.

"It's been a great privilege managing Market Drayton Town and I'm happy with what I've done - but I have a lot of work on my plate away from football and I feel Simon can bring more to the job, especially after his experiences at Hednesford."

Pryce's suggested shake-up was backed by the club's committee at an emergency meeting, attended by Line, who outlined his reasons for wanting to return..

And after being accepted back, Line admitted: "I can't believe my luck. Thanks to Andy's suggestion, I'm back where I belong. I left Town earlier in the season with considerable

regret after seven years of hard work and success in helping build the club up to try my hand in a higher grade of football as manager of Hednesford.

"For all sorts of reasons, it didn't work out. I did OK as far as results are concerned and, yes, they are a bigger club in almost all senses of that phrase.

"But in reality, sitting in a big board room, overlooking a smart pitch and a big stadium is not what I'm about. It's the Draytons of this world; where people pull together, that guys like me belong.

"I'm absolutely delighted with being able to return; it's great to be back."

Line said he was looking forward to working with Pryce, who he has always rated, respected and kept in regular contact with on and off the field. It was typical that Pryce should put the team and club first, "He's a top man," said Line.

Pryce, the archetypal clubman, only took on the role of manager after Town had appointed and lost a series of managers without achieving much as players came and went in a bewildering and damaging merry-go-round of signings and departures.

Line was at the centre of controversy at the time for many felt he contributed to the upheavals by taking a succession of players from Town to his new club.

Club chairman Julian Parton has called for bygones to be bygones. He feels Town can now put the past behind them and has praised the new three-man management set-up.

"They are all committed, experienced and above all, have complimentary skills - with them we can again build for the future," he said.

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