ROB SMALL is set to call time on his eight years in charge of Bowers & Pitsea at the end of the season.
Small took over in 2014 and is now etched into their history having been the man to lead the Essex outfit from Step 5 to Step 3.
Winning the Essex Senior League in 2016, they also reached the FA Vase semi-final the same season, a second promotion followed in 2018-19 when they avenged their Isthmian North play-off defeat the season before by winning the title.
This season, Bowers beat Aldershot Town in the FA Cup to reach the first round proper for the first time in their history where they played Lincoln City, narrowly losing 1-0.
But ahead of Tuesday’s Essex Senior Cup final, Small has announced his intention to seek a new challenge at the end of the season.
In an emotional statement on twitter, Small said: “I have so many people to pay homage to…I just don’t know where to start and there are simply too many to name individually.
“As the manager you are the face of the football club and with that comes responsibility. I hope I have done the club proud in that respect but please know there are so many people playing a part that get nowhere near enough of the spotlight.
“This club put their faith in me eight years ago when others might not have and for that I will always be grateful.”
Small’s staff Gary Henty, Richard Bates, Joe Flowers and Wayne Franklin will also depart the club with Small this summer.
