CALLINGTON?Town have parted company with their first team manager, Dean Cardew.

Cardew was a popular player at?Ginsters Marshfield Parc but decided to step down last Thursday after talks with club chairman,?Steve Woolley.

Callington have struggled for most of the season and had picked up just nine points from their opening 13 games under his stewardship in the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Premier Division.

Mr Woolley said: “Dean has decided to step down as manager of our first team which we have reluctantly agreed to. We would like to put on record our thanks to Dean for all his hard work this season. Although his foray into South West Peninsula League management has been brief, we are sure he will enjoy a long career in management in the future.”

Callington were quick to get a new managerial structure in place as they appointed Dan Jefferis as their new boss last Friday with Ryan Lucassi and Steve Blatchford as his assistants. Paul Fletcher remains as physio.

Their impact was immediate as the strugglers ground out an impressive 0-0 draw last Saturday at local rivals and defending champions, Tavistock.

Mr Woolley explained the club’s thinking to appoint Jefferis, adding: “Following the decision of Dean to stand down, we felt it was important to start on a clean slate and we are confident that, over time, Dan, Ryan and Steve will turn things around for us in our campaign. With games coming thick and fast, it was important to get people in charge as soon as possible.

“All three have been involved with the club for many years and so have a good understanding of what is required to turn around our temporary problems. We would also like to thank Dean and also very importantly Gary Williams for their help. Dean joined us this season but Gary has been around for many many years and was part of a very successful team in the last few years and we wish both of them well in the future.”

Callington, who dropped into the bottom two at the weekend due to Camelford’s shock 1-0 win over league leaders Plymouth Parkway, are back in action on Saturday when they travel to St Austell (3pm).