Bill Williams admits Jay Saunders faces a 'massive task’ to keep the Stones in the Ryman League Premier Division, but says he is up for the challenge.

The 32-year-old will take the reins until the end of the season in a caretaker role and faces the daunting task of making up nine points on their relegation rivals in their final nine games.

Chief executive Mr Williams said he had long known about Saunders’ intention to become a manager.

Mr Williams (pictured)said: “Jay has always indicated he wanted a shot at being a manager and to my my mind he has been a candidate in the past so we have given him the caretaker role until the end of the season.

“It is a good opportunity for him and we will support him in every way we can. There is a possibility that it might become permanent but we’ll come back to that at the end of the season.”

Mr Williams thinks Saunders’ main task will be to boost his side’s goalscoring record - second worst in their division - with just 28 in 33 games.

He added: “We have had the relegation tag for the past three or four seasons and Jay has the same problem to solve as everyone else - the team is not scoring enough goals.

“He doesn’t think we are too far away. He’s up for the challenge and says every game will be a cup final until the end of the season.”

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