SEAN Buttle looks almost certain to continue as manager of Wellington Reserves, who play in Division One of the Devon and Exeter Football League.

The 48-year-old, a former midfield player with Wellington, Tiverton Town and Elmore, took sole charge of running the side last October following the departure of Paul Pocock.

“I changed my job earlier this year and I found it difficult to be involved in midweek training sessions,” he said. “But I’ve a good team around me and I’m 70-30 certain I will be doing the job next season.

“I’ve been talking to Dave Darch (assistant) about next season. There will be changes and new signings. They are potential first team players.

“We’ve already shown there is plenty of good young talent around. New players have approached me about playing next season.

“The focus will again be on youth and I will be taking a good look at players in the Under 18 side. They will be encouraged to come training with us.

“We have already had plenty of success in bringing through youngsters for the first team.”

The Reserves were lying sixth in the first division when the season was brought to an abrupt halt in March due to coronavirus, winning five of their 16 matches, drawing six and losing five, four of them away.

Meanwhile, Mike Hawes says he is ‘undecided’ about continuing as manager of Wellington’s Under 18 side.

“I feel it should be someone who is Wellington or Taunton based,” said Hawes, who lives in Chard and is a former first team manager.

Wellington had 20 matches postponed last season and withdrew from the Western Counties Floodlit Youth League before it was shut down in March.