Robson back in Petersfield hot seat

The Love Lane club have taken the unprecedented step after the former Gosport Borough boss, who was only appointed in October, was removed from his role on Monday.

Robson will take care of first-team matters again after the club held an internal investigation into the circumstances leading up to his short departure.

The club have also confirmed that first-team coach Paul Marsh has left the outfit.

In a statement, club chairman Graeme Moir said: ‘John Robson has been reinstated 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.’

‘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.

‘As I have said above, 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.’

Petersfield travel to Aylesbury United tomorrow, with the side currently second from bottom in the Southern League central division one table.