Former Weston-Super-Mare boss Craig Laird has been chosen as the man to guide ambitious South West Football Club Oldland Abbotonians up the Western League.

Following an approach by the club Craig made the decision to resign from his current role as First Team Manager at Barnstable Town FC to join the progressive Bristol Club.

The O’s new boss spent four successful years at Weston-Super-Mare FC, guiding them to their highest ever league position of seventh in the Conference South, coupled with operating with the smallest of budgets.

Previous to this Craig spent successful Seasons at Bridgewater Town FC who he had led to a third place finish in his final season at Fairfax Park, and they were just minutes from securing promotion to Step 3 before falling in extra time of the play-off final to Cirencester Town FC.

Spells as Manager at both Yate Town FC and Dorchester Town FC make this a massive appointment for the club.

Director of Football, Paul Weeks says ‘this is a very exciting appointment for our club, an appointment that demonstrates our intent to succeed, which is also reflective of the recent investment and work delivered by our Chairman, Clayton Woodman’ Weeks continues, ‘I have known Craig for many years, more so in a competitive setting, but nonetheless I am fully aware of his excellent coaching credentials and the level of detail and clarity that he projects through his players which has a positive effect out on to the pitch - the level of experience Craig has speaks for itself, and we wish him the very best of success as we enter into the next phase of our programme’

Chairman Clayton Woodman states ‘Resigning from Barnstable Town FC who are currently undefeated in the Western Premier League this campaign to join us may come as a surprise for many.  However, Craig was on board the minute both me and Weeksy spoke with Craig, when we had the opportunity to discuss our club's future plans.

Woodman continues ‘Following the recent departure of previous joint Manager Lee Lintern, we had an opportunity for us to reassess our position and look to appoint the right candidate to work with the existing Management and Coaching Team.

Working with Craig we’ll see Darren Sealy and Nic Mann in an assistant capacity within this exciting new Management Team. Darren has been excellent in previous seasons and is a big part of Oldland Abbotonians FC on and off the field and will relish learning from the experience Craig has accomplished’

Craig Laird, comments on his appointment, ‘I would like to express my gratitude to Barnstaple Town FC for providing me with the chance to manage their team, as well as the unwavering support I have received from all the staff and supporters. However, I believe the time has come for me to move on. I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure at the club, and I am confident that the current squad can perform well at its current level and beyond.

After conversing with Clayton and Paul and learning about their accomplishments in such a short period of time, as well as their aspirations for the future, I realised that this would be an excellent opportunity for me to seize.

My first task will be to evaluate the current playing staff, who have performed exceptionally well in achieving the club's objectives, and then to enhance the squad's abilities through coaching and the addition of new players. I have been brought in to complement what is already a strong coaching team and together push the club further forward.

The journey ahead will not be easy, but with the hard work and dedication of the squad, we can match the progress and ambition shown off the pitch. I believe that there is only an upward trajectory for us.

My first task will be to stabilise the club at the present level. Then, we will develop the team to compete and perform on a more consistent level, and in time, strive for promotion. However, this will not be an easy task, as we find ourselves in a highly competitive league.

I strongly believe that clubs should be sustainable, not just for one or two seasons, but over an extended period. In other words, we must cut our cloth accordingly and avoid the boom-and-bust cycle. I will work closely with the chairman to get value for money as frequently as possible.

While I hold the reins, I will work hard for the club and give my best every week. As a manager, my objective is to leave the club in a more robust and better position than I found it by continuing the hard work achieved by others.

Hopefully, I will be able to meet and chat with the supporters at my first game which will be in the league cup, against Bradford Town FC next Tuesday evening’.

All the best at the O’s Craig!