FORMER Salisbury City chairman Neville Beal has made a surprise return to football - as manager of Sydenhams Premier Division strugglers Laverstock & Ford.
Beal, who helped lift Salisbury from the brink of extinction to the Conference National, has vowed to be with Laverstock next season even if they drop into Sydenhams Division One having finished second-to-bottom last season.
But relegation now looks unlikely following news that league runners-up Wimborne Town have been accepted into the Southern League and there is no one coming down to take their place.
Laverstock are one of three Wessex clubs to have unveiled new managers.
Ex-Eastleigh youth and reserve boss Wayne Mew has taken over at Romsey Town working alongside Stuart Long, while John Robson - formerly of Bashley, AFC Totton and Winchester City - has returned to Alton Town.
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