Wallasey-based Ashville F.C have are looking for a new First Team Manager. Pete Nielson stepped down on Sunday but will stay on as caretaker manager until the club find his replacement.

In a statement, Neilson said: “Sad day yesterday, as before the game I resigned from my role as First Team Manager of Ashville. I’ve offered to carry on as caretaker manager until the club finds a replacement. Thanks to every player that’s played for me.”

Ashville currently sit 14th in the Northwest Counties First Division South. They are just 12 games into their first season in the competition. The last five games have ended in defeat for the Villa, including a cup defeat to Northern Premier Division side Witton Albion. On Tuesday, Witton scored a last minute equaliser, to make it 1-1, then won the penalty shootout 3-0.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Neilson put a lot of work into the club’s home ground Villa Parl. The work included new dugouts, additional seating in the stand, giving the ground a new lick of paint all to get the ground up to a grade H standard. This came after the club finished in fifth place, a play-off position for promotion, but the ground did not meat the standards to qualify.

The club built for the future under their manager’s vision. Neilson said: “In the 2021/2021 season, I brought in Paul Downey and Tom Hartley’s J.F.C Greenleas side as out under 21 team who finished 2nd in the North West Under 21’s Development League which was a great achievement in their first season.” Peter Morgan features regularly for the first team now after being brought up through the ranks from the under 21 side.

Last season, Ashville finished second in the West Cheshire League First Division and got to the final of the Pyke Cup but lost 2-0 against Mossley Hill. Finishing runners-up behind Mersey Royal, Wirral side Ashville were promoted to play in the North West Counties League for the first time in their history.

The club have released their own statement: “Ashville Football Club announce with great regret that first team manager Pete Neilson has tendered his resignation. We thank Pete for the incredible work he has put in for the Villa and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

Pete Neilson leaves the club in a much better place than where it was when he took over. He will be a tough act to follow.

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