LAUNCESTON Football Club have announced the departure of head coach and first team manager, Gary Jeffery, after 19 years at Pennygillam.

A club statement said: “Gary has been involved with the Clarets, in a range of capacities, for many years.

“Unfortunately however, the combined pressures of work, together with a young family, have left him unable to devote the increasing amount of time necessary to manage an ambitious Step Six club.

“Under Gary’s leadership the Clarets enjoyed a highly successful 2017/18 season, finishing in seventh place in the SWPL (South West Peninsula League) Premier Division, re-establishing Launceston among the top six Cornish clubs.

“Assistant manager Mark Blake took charge of the squad for Saturday’s opening friendly at Bude and will oversee the pre-season period.

“The club would like to put on record their gratitude to Gary for all his hard work.

“We will be making a fuller statement concerning the future as soon as possible.”

Jeffery, who comes from the town and played for the Clarets, has held nearly every job at the club, including women’s manager, Under 21s manager, youth coach, third team manager, second team manager and first team coach under Leigh Cooper before replacing Cooper four and a half years ago.

During his four full seasons in charge, Launceston finished 10th, 14th, 11th before last year’s excellent campaign, which also included decent runs in both the Walter C Parson Funeral Directors League Cup and RGB?Cornwall?Senior Cup.

In an emotional statement to the players and supporters, Jeffery said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the club for all they have done for me on and off the field.

“I came to a decision with my family to step down as Launceston AFC’s SWPL manager due to personal issues on Sunday, July 1, and I agreed the club’s wishes to keep under wraps until a new manager was in place or time for announcement to be made.

“This decision was a very difficult and heartbreaking one, but at this point in my life I believe it was the correct one to take.

“As a manager at this level you dedicate a lot of your free time and resources to make sure the team is successful. I hope along the way I didn’t let anyone down and hopefully proved a few people wrong to.

“Over a spell of 19 full seasons volunteering my services to Launceston, working my way through the club in every team and working with the SWPL for the last six or seven seasons as coach and finally manager, all I can say it’s been an honour.

“To gaffer your hometown in a decent standard of football was something I’ve always wanted to do. But due to personal and time issues it’s time for my fairytale to end. But for the club, life goes on!

“The club is bigger then any individual and I wish the club, committee and players and the new manager all the best for the future.

“The set of players at the club are fantastic, last season finishing and representing the club superbly well. I hope the players continue to get behind the new manager and push forward, as there are many talented players so keep going and do the club, me and Bear (Keith Ellacott) proud.

“I wish you all the best and will continue to support from a far and watch with my family when I can as a fan. Once a Claret always a Claret!”

“Launceston are a fantastic family club in my eyes, a sleeping giant. I mean that from the bottom of my heart as I still see the team as my team.

“I had to think long and hard as I will miss it , but sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture life and family, be honest and say no, this is right.

“I’m involved in the game every day and will always be within the football circuit, so who knows what the future will hold. And I’m happy to help the club with anything if possible, but for now it’s time for someone new to push the club, move forward and do better!

“I’d also like to thank all of the supporters and sponsors for your help and support over the seasons. I’ll be joining you now in the stand and make sure you get behind these Clarets!”