STEPHEN Cleal has been left ‘gutted and shocked’ by Malvern Town’s decision to remove him as co-manager.
The club confirmed Cleal’s departure following a restructure of the first team set-up at the Hillsiders.
However, the news came as a shock to Cleal who had managed the first team alongside Lee Hooper since the 2022/23 campaign.
Cleal posted on X: “Absolutely gutted and shocked by this decision and the timing of it.
“I was led to believe we were going again and build on last season.
“I apologise to the players I’d already reached out to about next season players and fans I’d made a commitment too.
“In football you live and learn.”
Cleal and Hooper guided Malvern to the Southern League Division One South play-off final this season.
The club’s fourth-place finish in the league marked Malvern’s highest-ever league position.
And the Hillsiders also achieved a club-record 75 points over the course of the campaign.
The club have now appointed Hooper as the club’s sole first team manager next season supported by assistant coach Andy Bevan.
