BRIDPORT Reserves manager Robin Townsend has revealed that he will stand down at the end of the season.

The former Lyme Regis boss, who has guided the Bees to the final of this season’s Dorset Senior Trophy, also revealed to Echosport that Shaun Annetts will be his successor in the job next term.

Townsend said: “I decided before Christmas I'd had enough.

“It was nothing to do with the players or the club, I just felt I had brought it as far as I could.

“I would like to personally thank the players, Mark Lock, Shaun Annetts, Heather the secretary, all the committee members, Liz for washing the kit, and the groundsman.

"I am bound to miss some people out but I would like to thank everyone for making the job enjoyable.”

The Bees will take on Chickerell United in the trophy final in what will be Townsend’s last chance to capture silverware with the club.

And he insists a cup win would be the perfect reward for his players.

“I am a bit critical of them sometimes but they know I have only got their best interests at heart,” he added.

“I don’t want them to be doing it for me. I want them to be doing it for themselves and it’s good for the club that we are in the final.”

Commenting on the appointment of Annetts, he added: “Shaun has got the job for next year and he is staying on with Mark Lock.

“He has more contacts in the youth department than I have and I have offered him my services if he needs a hand.”

Commenting on the announcement, first-team boss Trevor Senior added: “Robin has been very good and very supportive of me. From day one he said he was there to help the first team and has always sacrificed his team to make sure the first team is strong.

“It would be a nice way to go out if he could win that cup before the end of the season. I wish him all the best and I would like to thank him for all his efforts.”

On the appointment of Annetts, he added: “We have looked to put things in place now.

“Shaun has been assisting the reserves for more than a year and now we want to bridge the gap between Bridport Youth and the club.

“We want to encourage youngsters to make the step up to the Dorset Premier League with a view to playing in the Western League.

“We want to start thinking about next season and Shaun has a couple of months now to start putting the feelers out.”