JOHN MACK is ready to stand down as Slimbridge chairman after watching them achieve another promotion this week.

After taking over ten years ago when Slimbridge were in the Stroud League, Mack has completely transformed the club on and off the pitch.

Two years ago, they won promotion to the Southern League but Mack pulled the plug due to financial restraints, claiming the club had grown too fast.

The first team reformed through the reserves and celebrated winning the County League last Saturday with a 4-0 win over Tuffley Rovers.

Mack has expressed his desire to pass on the baton for a while and, with three new committee men recently on board, he believes someone else is ready to take over the reins, which could be announced later this month after the club’s AGM.

He said: “I’ve been here ten years and we’ve had tremendous success but I think someone else will have a go.

“I’ve been looking for somebody to take it on, now we’ve got somebody to take it on.”

After past experiences, Mack wasn’t keen on another promotion this season, but Slimbridge will be playing in Hellenic Division One West next season.

“The committee want to do it, the players want to do it, and after all the effort and work they’ve put in I can’t say you’re not going up,” said Mack.

“The lads have done it and they deserve to go up in the Hellenic League.”

James Cole, who won his second successive promotion as Slimbridge boss, said: “John Mack has done a great job. I hope someone does come in because the side is good and we’ve got youngsters coming through.”

Cole insists he will be looking to win another title next year and also revealed he’s got his eyes on an FA Cup run if Slimbridge enter.

He said: “I’m hoping to get in the FA Cup next year because I think we can get quite far but I’ll have a word with John and we’ll talk about that.

“I think we can get past two or three rounds and then look for the big money.

“I want to win the next league. With this squad and a few extras I think we can do it.”

Cole praised the effort of his players after they wrapped up the County League title just two days after missing out on the GFA Challenge Trophy where they lost 2-1 to Bitton in extra-time.

After that cup run where Slimbridge knocked out Almondsbury Town and Hallen before pushing the Toolstation Western Premier Champions all the way, Cole can feel confident about his team’s chances next season.

He said: “I think we gave Bitton too much respect in the first half.

“I had a quiet word with the lads at half time, got us going again and I thought we would have won it.

“I think we made them look a bit ordinary in the second half, but on our day we can give anyone a game.

“The teams we beat on the way to the final was fabulous.”