EAST Cornwall Premier League Cup champions Tamarside are in a desperate race to recruit a new manager after Darren Potter resigned this week, citing family and work commitments. Not only that but Potter's assistant, Pete Russell, cannot carry on the team's good work as he will be unable to commit himself to next season for the same reasons. Potter (pictured right) feels that last season's League Cup-winning side may break up, with fellow ECPL side Torpoint Athletic being the possible recipient of some of the club's better players, with others making the step up into the South West Peninsula League. Successful Potter said: 'I'm afraid there are just not enough hours in the day, 'I can't even help out with my son's youth team'. Potter continued: 'I've been involved in football for over 20 years and it would not be fair to my family or the team to carry on.' Potter was in charge of the club's highly successful youth team and then the Plymouth & District Combination League, where he won the League Cup. The 34-year-old then led the team into the ECPL, where they became Division One champions. The highlight came last season when Tamarside became the first Devon side to win the ECPL League Cup. Potter concluded: 'I have loved every minute of it. It's been a great experience. 'I felt the club made the right decision to join the ECPL and I wish them well.' Meanwhile, ECPL newcomers St Stephens Borough will not be using their new Third Generation pitch at Saltmill until Saturday, August 9, when they entertain Torpoint Athletic's Duchy League side in a pre-season friendly, with a 2.30pm kick off. Duchy League champions Borough start their pre- season campaign at former ECPL side St Cleer on Tuesday, July 29 (6.45pm), and then travel to Speeds Meadow on Saturday, August 2 to take on Cullompton Rangers Reserves, who were relegated to Division One of the Devon & Exeter League team last season. This match kicks off at 5.30pm. The following Tuesday, August 5, they make the trip in the opposite direction to play Falmouth Town Reserves for a 7.30pm kick-off, before completing their pre- season campaign against Torpoint. Division One side St Newlyn East have appointed Pete Thompson as their new manager. Thompson replaces Gary Wheildon, who stepped down at the end of last season. This leaves just Bodmin Town and Tamarside still without a team manager for the 2008-9 season.
