Humphreys out; Bleasdale in

Steve Bleasdale
By Matt Lawton
October 15 2007

Leigh RMI will have a new boss in charge for Saturday's game at Vauxhall Motors after manager Stuart Humphreys, along with assistant Andy Roscoe, were relieved of their duties following an indifferent start to the Blue Square North season, with former Peterborough United manager Steve Bleasdale returning to Hilton Park to take charge of the Railwaymen for the second time in his managerial career.

Club spokesman, Stan Walker, says “the club was very reluctant to take this decision, but faced with the fact of the current low league position and falling gates something had to be done rapidly to improve our prospects."
 
"This is a crucial time for the club; with negotiations on occupancy of the new stadium in progress and a number of investors showing interest we simply have to improve our league position. The management committee could not see any signs of this happening with Stuart and Andy at the helm and therefore were forced to take this action.”
 
Steve Bleasdale will take over with immediate effect, as the club seeks to improve results and its league position.  Steve is no stranger to RMI - having taken over as manager in their final weeks in the Conference National during 2004/5 season. His record during that season speaks for itself, as he doubled RMI points total - despite being in charge for less than a quarter of the season.  He reluctantly left RMI during the close season to join up with Mark Wright at Peterborough United.
 
Bleasdale, a regular on the Hilton Park terraces throughout the past two seasons, is a very experienced manager and a very well qualified coach, having gained his UEFA A and Pro licence makes him one of the highest qualified coaches outside the Premier League. He will strengthen the squad in time for two crucial games - away to Vauxhall Motors on Saturday 20th October and then away to Blyth Spartans on Saturday 27th October.

On behalf of the club's supporters, may I be the first to welcome Steve back to the club and wish him the very best of luck throughout his reign, whilst also thanking Stuart Humphreys and Andy Roscoe for their hard work during a turbulent time for the club.