PLYMOUTH Argyle Ladies Development Manager Rob Bonney has called time on his reign after four seasons in charge.

Bonney said: ‘I had a chat with the Director of Football (Trevor Rodd) around October last year and said I felt I had taken the team as far as I could.

‘You just get a feeling, and with Ryan (Lawton) and Botts (Gary Bottomley) working alongside me, I just felt the timing was right.

‘In coaching terms, they are both young but they have a great record in junior ladies football and they can certainly take this team to the next level, the foundations are certainly there.’

When Bonney took over the team, he had 12 players available for his first game.

A big recruitment drive took place and they managed to clinch promotion in his first season.

The second season saw another influx of youngsters and the team narrowly finished second in the league.

Another good recruitment drive in his third season saw the team win the league.

Unfortunately, due to an FA ruling, the team was denied promotion. This led to a lot of players leaving and being replaced by a group of promising 16-year-olds joining up with a vital core of experienced players.

Bonney said: ‘I shouldn’t have been worried, despite a sticky start to the season, this team were strongly placed to take the league for a second season running before it was abandoned due to the pandemic.

‘They were a fantastic group to work with and, as long as they keep working hard and don’t settle for mediocrity, they will all have a chance in the game. The average age of the team has dropped dramatically and this bodes well for the future of the club.’

Enjoyed

Looking over his time at Argyle, Bonney said: ‘It’s for other people to judge whether you have been a success or not, but all I can say is it has been hard but I have enjoyed every minute working with every girl who has been involved with the club.

‘I just hope I have influenced them in some way.

‘Since the announcement I have had some very warm messages off both players and parents, which means more than anything to me.

‘Finally, I would like to wish everyone all the best for the future and I feel privileged to have been given the chance to help play a part in their future.’

Director of football Rodd was full of praise for Bonney, who took over from Gary Harris, while manager Dave Leonard said: ‘Rob’s been an absolute credit to the football club in the way he’s managed the situation being Development team manager.

‘He has adapted to the role of bringing on the girls for the first team and in the way he has developed the team in that role, which has been fantastic.

‘He will be a great loss but at the end of the day it is his decision and we wish him all the best. He has been an absolutely top professional and we respect his decision.’

by Dave Potham