Gosport Borough go for continuity by asking Shaun Gale to replace Lee Molyneaux as first team manager

Chairman Iain McInnes last night told The News he has already spoken to Gale, 50, with a view to replacing Lee Molyneaux.

The former Hawks boss was brought to Gosport earlier this year by Molyneaux as part of his backroom team, the pair having previously worked together at Westleigh Park.

Gale, 50, took charge of one Borough game when Molyneaux was away working for Nike in Italy - a 1-0 home win over Weston-super-Mare.

‘We are keen to maintain the continuity we’re building up,’ said McInnes. ‘There’s been too many changes in the short time I’ve been here.

‘Shaun is immensely experienced and I’ve asked him to take on the mantle to ensure a seamless transition.’

Gale arrived at Privett Park in January. The one-time Portsmouth full back was out of football at the time having left Eastbourne Borough last October when boss Lee Bradbury was released after just a few months in charge.

Bradbury had brought Gale to the Sussex club shortly after the latter had left Westleigh Park last May, even though new Hawks boss Paul Doswell wanted him to stay.

Gale had spent most of the previous 19 years at Hawks as a player, assistant manager, manager and then assistant again.

Gale took over as manager from Ian Baird in October 2007 and within months had overseen their sensational run to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Gale was sacked towards the end of the 2011/12 season - on April Fool’s Day after a loss to Basingstoke - but returned as assistant to Bradbury in October of the same year and they forged a highly-successful managerial partnership that took in back-to-back promotions.

Molyneaux said he brought Gale in after Kevin Braybrook, the head coach, was unable to commit all the time due to work commitments.

‘I’ve known Shaun for years, I trust him - it was a no brainer,’ Molyneaux stated.

‘It was going well, the players were getting used to myself, Shaun and Ben Kneller before it all came crashing down.’

McInnes added: ‘Lee is a great lad, he hasn’t made a football decision, he’s made a decision based on his priorities in life.

‘He has a very demanding job and if anyone comes through this Covid-19 situation with a strong job at the end of it they have done well.

‘We are becoming a really strong community club at long last, and it’s a shame Lee will not be the manager to enjoy some of those benefits.

‘But I wish him all the best, we have parted as friends.’

Gale will be Gosport’s fourth permanent manager in just over two years.

Alex Pike’s second spell in charge in 2017/18 ended with his sacking in April 2018, before Craig McAllister had a season at the helm in 2018/19.