JOHN Robson has been re-instated as manager of Petersfield Town.
He was removed from the position on Monday evening but made a dramatic return to Love Lane on Thursday evening.
Club chairman Graeme Moir said: “John Robson has been re-instated as first team manager with immediate effect.
“I can also confirm that Paul Marsh has stepped down from his role as first team coach and has left the club.
“The rest of the coaching staff remain in their positions – Gary Lines is director of football, Matt Collins is coach assistant, Tom Best is goalkeeping coach, Shane Brayson is reserve team manager and Tim Farmer is assistant manager for the reserves team.”
With the news probably coming as a shock to Petersfield fans, Moir explained the reasons behind Robson’s surprise return to the club.
Moir said: “Following our announcements earlier this week when John Robson was removed as first team manager, more evidence came to light which contradicted the outcomes of the investigation I held into the internal situation at the club.
“Having looked into the new evidence further it became apparent that the basis on which we made our decision was no longer the truth and that the original decision had become a flawed one.
“Yesterday evening Gary Lines initiated a meeting between him, Robson, myself and John Geddes.
“It was a very amicable meeting in which I offered my unreserved apologies to John – which he accepted – and he then accepted our offer for him to return to the club as first team manager.
“We then went straight to another meeting with the players at which John was re-introduced to them as their manager again, and this was greeted by cheering and applause by all of the players present.
“I apologise unreservedly to John for what has happened. As I have said throughout this process John is a very well respected man and one of the great characters of non-league football and the way he has conducted himself throughout the last week shows that the plaudits and respect he is shown is very much deserved.
“I also apologise to anyone at the club – players, volunteers, supporters, etc – who has been upset and/or unhappy by the actions we have taken this week. I hope by putting this matter right you will continue to give the club your time and backing.”
Moir praised Robson and director of football Gary Lines for resolving the situation.
Moir said: “Two people deserve huge praise for turning around this situation to the happy conclusion we have now reached.
“Gary Lines picked up the phone and talked to John Robson, realising the situation we were in was not right and leading the discussions and moves to get John to agree to come back to the club. He has played a key part in turning this situation around and the club, and me personally, thank him for his work to make that happen.
“Despite everything that has happened this week John Robson agreed to come back to the club and has not shown any anger or malice towards anyone. Most people would have told us where to go after what had happened but I think it is a measure of this man that he has come back to the club and in the way he has handled himself throughout the last week.
“We need everyone to get behind the club and the players and John Robson as we prepare for tomorrow’s game at Aylesbury United and for the busy period of games we have coming up.”