AFTER 10 games in charge, Tavistock AFC 1st XI manager Connor Marshall has “stepped down from his position due to increased life commitments.”

The club announced his departure on social media on Friday, November 6, bringing to an end his brief tenure at Langsford Park.

Tully had the Lambs firing and in the playoff picture before he moved on and a mass exodus of key players followed.

Sam Hilson, Shane White, Sam Gleeson, Reece Shanley, Jack Crago, Deacon Thomson, Tom Chastey, Ryan Smith and Callum Watson were all snapped up in the wake of the fallout, some going on to pastures new and others returning to former clubs.

Six of them remained in the Jewson Western League whereas Gleeson, Chastey and Watson jumped up to the Southern League, signing for Bideford AFC, Exmouth Town and Barnstaple Town respectively.

Marshall was up against it from the off and looked to impart his own blueprint on the team, adding the experienced David Rowe and the talented Max Edgecombe amongst others.

He previously managed Newton Abbot Spurs at step six last year and was in charge of Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police, also in the South West Peninsula League, when Tavistock came calling at the end of September.

A trip to fellow playoff hopefuls Buckland Athletic kickstarted Marshall’s tenure and after falling behind from a Fin Herbert goal, the Lambs would rally to win it in Newton Abbot, Ryan Smith equalising (against the club he has since joined) and Rowe then heading home late on.

This was one of only two victories under Marshall though, the other seeing them hit rock-bottom Wellington AFC for six.

The other eight games in all competitions ended in defeat; they shipped eight goals away at Portishead Town, were knocked out of the FA Vase and Les Phillips Cup by Elburton Villa and Bovey Tracey AFC respectively plus his final game at the helm was a 4-2 home loss against Torpoint Athletic on Saturday, October 31.

They also came up short in narrow affairs with Ivybridge Town, St Blazey and Wells City before shipping five to Newquay AFC.

Tavistock’s full statement on Marshall’s departure reads: “We would like to place on record our sincere thanks for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the club during his time in charge.

“His efforts, both on and off the pitch, have been greatly appreciated by everyone at the club. We fully respect his decision and wish him every success in the future.

“Darren Raven (Ravo) and Ryan Elliott will continue to provide leadership and oversight of the team, supporting the ongoing focus on building stability.

“They will work closely with the management committee, who will maintain oversight and regularly review the arrangements as the season progresses.

“We look forward to continuing our work together as we build towards a positive and sustainable future for the team and club.”

The Lambs were without a Western League fixture on Saturday, November 7, allowing Raven and co some time to prepare ahead of their first game in charge, which sees them visit Brislington FC on the 14th.

Following that, they have chances at redemption against Ivybridge and Newquay, travelling to the former on the 21st and hosting the latter on the 28th.