Royals support prompts u-turn

Sutton Coldfield Town's Ross Thorpe is staying with the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Royals after initially resigning as assistant manager because of work and family commitments.

Thorpe announced his u-turn on Thursday after revealing that he'd been humbled by messages of support from fans at the First Division South club and others in football regretting his departure.

Royals manager Neil Tooth is delighted to get his number two back after his surprise announcement last week that he was standing down.

Tooth said: "To say I'm delighted would be an understatement as I didn't want him to leave for obvious reasons. Ross was a huge part of our success last season and I couldn't see past working with him. Not only is he a brilliant coach he is good cop to my bad and visa-versa. He is exactly what I need in an assistant and as long as I'm involved in football I will want Ross with me."

Thorpe said issues with his personal life, especially news that he'd soon need to find a new day job had led to his original decision to quit.

He said: "In my personal life, I have had a hectic six months. I suffered quite a bad bout of illness in January, lost a very close family member in February and I will lose my job in three week's time. So my decision last week was focused upon me finding a full-time job.

"The season was long and I think everyone at the club knows how much of a toll it took on all of us. The club have asked me to take over the running of the commercial and community activities during the day and resume my role as assistant-manager. The club want to move forward and I am delighted they want me to front this new venture."

On the messages of support, he added: "I have had a lot of really nice support from people in football. I sat in with Neil Tooth on Tuesday when he met with the players and I was quite choked at their response of wanting me to stay.

"This group of players have been fantastic - hopefully with them committing it will allow us to push the club forward next season in what will be another very tough division. This is a great club with great people and supporters.

"In Neil Tooth I feel I am working with a manager that knows how I work and vice-versa, the very fact we won the Fair Play award shows keeping him quiet in itself is a full-time job."