WOTTON Rovers' merry-go-round season now looks to be getting back on track with the re-appointment of Jake O'Neill as manager.

O'Neill became something of a Wotton legend after guiding Rovers into third position in the County League last season, and indeed coming close to clinching top spot, but was tempted into taking over the vacant manager's role at Hellenic Premier club Shortwood.

With the exodus of Shortwood players to rising stars Slimbridge, together with manager John Evans taking over the coaching role at that club, O'Neill was seen by many as being on a hiding to nothing, and after a disappointing start to their season, Shortwood dispensed with O'Neill's services a polite way of saying he was sacked.

Wotton decided to go for a local lad as O'Neill's replacement and Danny Iddles was given the boss's seat. But Wotton, too, have had a disastrous start to their campaign, now struggling near the foot of the County League table, and Iddles left the club a few weeks ago by mutual consent.

This came at the same time as the apparently unrelated resignation of club chairman Tony Thorpe, giving further urgency if Rovers were to rescue their season and get back on course.

The manager's job was again advertised, with O'Neill getting an overwhelming thumbs-up to return.

Club secretary Martyn Excell commented: 'I would like to say that we are very pleased to have Jake back at the helm again and I have no doubts that we will see a rapid climb up the table. Shortwood's loss is our gain and it was never any doubt that Jake would be hot favourite for a swift return to Synwell once it became apparent that he was interested in the job following the events at Meadowbank. I would very much like to thank the people who put their name forward for the manager's job and their interest in the Club.'

O'Neill's appointment seems to have had an immediate impact with Wotton Rovers beating Pucklechurch Sports 3-0 last Saturday, but he advises not to read too much into that.

'It will take a while to get back to where we were but the return of Jason Brown on a permanent basis is a massive plus for me and the club. Another huge plus is the nucleus of Paul Eldridge, Mike Rodman and Owen Clement, names that will attract other players to Wotton. We still need another six or so new faces for the squad, as is usual with the start of a new season.

'On a personal basis, my immediate aim is to get Wotton out of trouble and then see how I feel. Hopefully I will be enjoying the game again and unless anything changes I will be happy to see my managerial days out at Wotton.

O'Neill added: 'I do regret my treatment at Shortwood and my lack of time which they promised me to build a team when I was faced with the departure of most of last season's players. But I feel it's their loss and I could have turned it round for them.'

He was keen though to concentrate on the support he has had from Wotton Rovers, and indeed the town in general. 'I've been at Wotton a couple of years and just didn't realise the support for me. I was down in the dumps after Shortwood, but everyone at Wotton has been so friendly and appreciative. I've been made to feel genuinely wanted, with even people I didn't even know saying how pleased they were to see me back. I've been really overwhelmed.'

On Monday evening, October 13, an Extraordinary General Meeting has been called to appoint a new Wotton Rovers chairman. The meeting will take place at the Synwell Sports and Social Club at 7.30.