PETERSFIELD Town chairman Graeme Moir has heaped praise on Andy Neal after he stepped down as first team manager.

Neal and club officials mutually and amicably agreed to the change during a meeting late last week.

The club’s reserve team boss picked up the first team managerial reins in July when previous manager Ian Saunders left Love Lane to take on the first team manager’s role at Winchester City.

Since then Neal has had to cope with a mass exodus of players and trying to rebuild the squad with the Southern League season in full swing.

Despite the club’s dismal start to the season of just one win and a draw in 13 matches so far, Moir has nothing but praise for Neal’s work.

“The results are not a fair reflection of what ability Andy has as a coach,” said Moir. “He has had to deal with a difficult and stressful situation and he has done so with dignity and a huge amount of hard work.

“Many would not have coped with what he has had to go through and I?have stressed to him that he is a better coach than the situation has allowed.

“I?have nothing but praise for everything Andy has done for the club and he deserves enormous credit for the way he has conducted himself.

“We hope he will stay on with the club as his work on and off the pitch has been invaluable.”