Chris Watters
After an admittedly frustrating and disappointing 2022/23 campaign, the Crows have announced that Steve Castle and Chris Watters will now jointly manage the team for the forthcoming 2023/24 season.
As is customary at the end of any season, the management team and Board sat down and reviewed the previous season and shared hopes, expectations, and outline plans for the new season ahead.
One of the outcomes of this meeting was the promotion of Watters to joint-manager alongside Castle.
Prior to this meeting, Watters had received an approach from a Vanarama National League South club and this was discussed at the meeting.
Although flattered by the interest shown by the Step 2 club, Watters stressed his desire to stay with the Crows.
Like many clubs at Royston’s level, finances and budgets can be tight and it was felt that the creation of a joint management team was the best use of limited resources.
Chairman Steve Jackson told his club’s website: “I wasn’t surprised to hear that Chris had received an approach from a Step 2 club and I was aware of his desire to progress in his managerial career. I believe that Chris can do that that here at Garden Walk and both Steve Castle and I didn’t want to lose him.
“With the number of tasks and pressures surrounding the role of manager, I’m pleased that we are able to announce that Chris has agreed to join Steve as joint-manager for the coming season. I want to stress that Steve Castle fully supports this appointment and the change to our management structure.
“Now that this decision has been made I’m confident that things will start to shape up nicely in terms of signings. We are looking to build a strong and balanced squad with a mix of experience and youth. I’m looking forward to seeing us playing entertaining and successful football with the players enjoying being a part of it and playing with a smile on their faces.
“As always, the management team have our full support and we will work together to bring more good times to the club both on and off the pitch.
Watters added: “I’ve been at this club for nine years now as both a player and coach. The chairman, board and fans have always been fantastic. I’ve really grown to love this club. Like any coach or manager, I want to progress and operate at the highest level that I possibly can and obviously, the opportunity to move up the ladder was very tempting, but I had no immediate ambition to leave Garden Walk. And so, the chance to further my career here at Royston is great for me personally. My own pride wanted the opportunity to show the fans that we are better than we were last season and that’s something that Steve and I are determined to prove.
“Now that my future is settled, and the new management structure is in place we can all begin the process of preparing for next season. The fans can rest assured that our pre-season planning and recruitment is well underway. We have started contacting the existing squad to outline the plans and vision for the forthcoming season and beyond. We have also begun speaking to a number of players who’ve been identified as possible new additions to the squad. I’m confident that we can bring together a good, talented squad that will work hard and we are looking forward to pre-season. We have a clear vision for the team, the type of players we would like to recruit and retain, and the style of football we would like to play to make Royston Town both competitive and exciting to watch. I’m sure that our fans will continue to show their support and welcome the new players that will come to the club”
Castle said: “I’m delighted that Chris has agreed to stay at the club and to step up as joint-manager. He’s a fantastic lad, a mate, and a talented coach and I’m sure that he will go on to be a great manager.
“I’m more than happy to work alongside Chris in a joint-manager capacity. Being a manager is different to being a coach or an assistant manager – the job comes with its own pressures, and these can be difficult to manage when starting out in the role. I know that we can work together to produce the best results on the field.
“I’m looking forward to working even more closely with Chris and his football knowledge and ideas are a real asset to the club. We feel that our ambitions in football match those of the club and we hope to bring future success to this wonderful football club.
“I am due to have an operation on my ankle soon. The post-op recovery period will, unfortunately, put me out of action for quite some time and means that I will miss most of pre-season. But I know that all aspects of the first team are in safe hands with Chris whilst I recuperate. Despite not being physically around post-op, Chris and I will be in regular contact and will be working to constantly push the club forward”.
(Royston Town FC)
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