ALEX Pope, who stepped down as joint manager of Wellington last month, has joined Southern League outfit Tiverton Town as first team coach.

Pope turned down the chance to become sole manager of Wellington after Tim Legg decided to leave.

He said: "I've been talking to Tiverton for some time. I had to consider my coaching business in Exeter and how it would fit in with me joining Tiverton. It involves more travelling."

It is no secret that Pope wanted a bigger playing budget to manage Wellington next season. He felt the club would not make any progress in the Toolstation League if the budget stayed the same.

Pope spent four years at Wellington and before this was manager of Minehead for 18 months.