NEIL Benson has stepped down as Andover Town manager to take up a new role as the club’s director of football.

He will be replaced by his assistant, former Blackfield & Langley boss John Robson, and his new right-hand man Brad Benson, writes James Robinson.

Benson will continue to work closely with Town in his new role, providing support on and off the field.

He will continue to be manager of the Sparsholt Academy.

The announcement brings to an end his successful three-year spell in the dugout at Andover after becoming the club’s first manager following its formation in 2013.

Benson led the north Hampshire club to promotion from the Sydenhams Wessex League Division One in his first season in charge, with the newly-formed Town finishing in second place.

Andover lost just three times that season, picking up a total of 73 points and scoring 103 goals in their 30 games.

Benson led his side to a respectable 12th-placed finish in their first Wessex Premier season before narrowly missing out on promotion to the Southern League with a fourth-placed finish last term.

However, Benson says his dual role as Town manager and Sparsholt boss had become “stretched” and has described the announcement as an “exciting move” for the club.

He said: “It’s been quite clear over the last year that my role with the Sparsholt Academy has become increasingly harder.

“That’s why I brought in John last season to ease some of the pressure.

“The club has come a long way but there are so many more things we can do.

“This move will allow us to do more both on and off the pitch.

“I will continue to support the club in all aspects but John and Brad will be at the forefront and in the technical area.”

Talking about his time as manager, he said: “I’d like to place on record that it has been a pleasure to manage Andover Town.

“I’ve been very well received by the Andover public and I have always had good relationships with the players and staff.

“It was a role initially I was going to take on for the first year, but we had a successful season and achieved promotion and I was asked to stay on.

“Last season we finished fourth after a remarkable season and, although I was disappointed to miss out on promotion, by the same token perhaps it was better that we didn’t.

“I know John and Brad will continue to push the club on from here.”