Football: All change at Tower ahead of new campaign

Following Sam Dustow’s decision to step away from managerial duties this summer to focus on playing, former Grouville reserves boss Scott Kelly has been confirmed as the club’s new coach, and he is joined by new faces at the helm of Tower’s other two sides.

2010/11: 1st Championship (p)

2011/12: 9th Premiership (r)

2012/13: 3rd Championship

2013/14: 1st Championship *

2014/15: 4th Championship

*Remained in the Championship following reserve team withdrawal

Former U18 manager Paul Mottram has stepped up to take charge of the reserves as many of his players progress into senior football for the first time, while Bob Young has moved from his role at the head of St John FC’s U18s to watch over the juniors.

Kelly, who will oversee his first competitive match next Tuesday when Tower take on St Peter in the first round of the Charity Cup, believes the time was right for him to make the switch.

‘A move into first team football was one that I wanted to make after managing reserve teams for seven years,’ he said.

‘After being given the opportunity by First Tower it sounded like a good option – I like the direction the club is looking to go and I want to try and stabilise things.

‘We’ve got big numbers throughout the club now and we’re looking to acquire a piece of land for a pitch. But we have to start with the basics and try to bring success back to not just the first team but back to the whole club.’

Tower were forced to remain in the Championship last season, despite finishing top of the division in 2013/14

Speaking of his goals for the forthcoming season, Kelly added: ‘I have got hold of a couple of players who are good players, and with the ones that are already there I think we can not only steady the ship but make it a successful season. Anything’s achievable, it just depends on what commitment we get from the players – you can do as much behind scenes as you like but if don’t have commitment it won’t work.

Young, who has formed a new squad of ’15 to 20 players’ having inherited just three of Mottram’s squad from last season, said: ‘One of my intentions when I started with U18s was to keep lads in the game; it gives me a big kick when they carry on as they do have a lot of distractions at that age.

‘My enjoyment in the game comes from starting teams and making something of them – that’s what I did at St Lawrence four seasons ago … I enjoy the challenge of creating something from nothing.

‘It is a big thrill to be part of First Tower, when I came to Jersey in the 1970s they were the best team on Island by a mile, so if I can help them on the way back that will give me great pleasure.’

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