Packman to stay out west

RICHARD PACKMAN is staying on as Sylvans manager and their best players are staying at St Peter's in a bid to wrest the Priaulx League championship back from Vale Rec. The news was confirmed yesterday by Sylvans secretary Mike Bachelet.

'I spoke to Richard at our annual dinner and he confirmed that he was happy to stay on.

'I can also honestly say that apart from Martin Gauvain, who may be packing it in, nobody is leaving.'

Packman , invariably outspoken and often critical of his own players last season, was happy to confirm the news after several weeks of conjecture.

'Everybody knows I was severely disappointed with the outcome of last year.

'There was a lack of heart to a certain extent and also some arrogance within the club that the team only had to turn up to win.

'But I've had a chance to speak to the players and they are as hungry as ever to get it back on track,' said Packman.

'I've spoken to all the senior players and they're all staying. They want to knuckle down and make sure we win it back,' he added.

Packman had been widely expected to walk away from Sylvans after a season which saw him at odds with a number of players, most significantly island skipper John Nobes.

His style of management has reportedly brought him many enemies at Sylvans, but having seen the club concede the league championship to Vale Rec the westerners ended the season on a high note with their Wheway Cup victory in Jersey.

Meanwhile, Packman's predecessor, Alan Le Prevost, will remain in overall charge of North's junior section next season.

However, it will be in a less hands-on role, with the Youth One and Two coaching duties being carried out by Mick Le Prevost and new appointment Dudley Boscher.