No rush for Bridgnorth after Whitehouse stands down

Whitehouse decided to call time on his stay with the club before Saturday’s friendly clash with Stafford Town, which saw secretary Steve Groome and committee member Kevin Hesseltine take charge of the team.

The duo, both former Bridgnorth managers, will be continue in that role for Saturday’s TJ Vickers Cup quarter-final clash at home to Haughmond.

And chairman Mark Weale has vowed the club will take their time finding the right man for the job.

“It was Pete’s decision to stand down,” said Weale. “Pete is a true professional who showed enormous resilience during the pandemic.

“I have enjoyed working with him and regret that things have not worked out as we both had envisaged

“He decided that he was going to stand down and unfortunately we find ourselves looking for a new manager.

“You would like it done as quick as possible but we don’t want to rush and make a stupid mistake, so it is a bit of a balancing act.

“We are in the process of looking for someone to lead us into the new season and we will take our time to make that decision.

“We have had several managers over the last three or four years and clearly we don’t want to be a team that has two or three managers a season, that’s no way to go forward.

“We want to make the right decision so we will take our time, but clearly the sooner it is done the better it is for the club. We will wait and see what applications come and then make a decision in the fullness of time.”

Groome and Hesseltine will be looking to extend Bridgnorth’s season by at least one more game when they host Haughmond on Saturday.

“Steve and Kev did a great job on Saturday and they will be taking over first team matters for the rest of the season, which is only the cup competition that we are in,” added Weale. “If we lose on Saturday, it’s the end of the season.

“If we will at least one more game and they will see it out.

“Both of them have previously managed the club, they understand the club inside out and we are perfectly comfortable with them doing it.”

Whitehouse, who took charge following Graham Ward’s departure last season, has parted company on good terms with Weale.

“It’s a fantastic club and I would like to thank the club for the opportunity and wish them all the best for the future.

“I just felt that it was the right time to step down.”