Marty Wallace ‘privileged’ with AFC Portchester role – and happy to help new boss Dave Carter in any way he can

Marty Wallace was 'privileged' to have been trusted with the AFC Portchester managerial role on an interim basis.
Marty Wallace was 'privileged' to take interim charge of AFC Portchester - and is keen to become a permanent manager when his work life allows. Picture: Keith WoodlandMarty Wallace was 'privileged' to take interim charge of AFC Portchester - and is keen to become a permanent manager when his work life allows. Picture: Keith Woodland
Marty Wallace was 'privileged' to take interim charge of AFC Portchester - and is keen to become a permanent manager when his work life allows. Picture: Keith Woodland

And he is willing to assist newly-appointed boss Dave Carter in any way he can in order for the Royals to achieve their Southern League ambition.

Wallace's stint as Portchester caretaker ended earlier this week with Carter leaving Moneyfields to take charge at The Crest Finance Stadium.

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Portchester chairman Paul Kelly had asked the Scot to hold the fort during a difficult period for the club.

The Royals had made a number of high profile summer signings but struggled for results in the Wessex League Premier with Mick Catlin losing his job in October.

Remarkably, Wallace would only take charge of four matches across his five-month spell as interim boss because of the pandemic - but it's still an opportunity he believes will benefit him in the long run.

He said: ‘It was an honour and privilege to be offered the position and an absolute pleasure to help Paul (Kelly) and the rest of the guys out and the first team players.

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‘It was really just to steady the ship after Mick (Catlin) and Moly (Lee Molyneaux) were moved on.

‘It was a pleasure for me, I’d been involved in and around the club at various levels in the first team for the past couple of years; it was a natural progression for me, something that I certainly didn’t shy away from.

‘It wasn’t part of the plan to be the gaffer.

‘The time that I’ve had, albeit we only had four games in charge, but I’ve still been running things right up until the present day and it really opened my eyes as to what the requirement would be.

‘It gave me a chance to see if it was something I’d be looking to do (in the future) and it absolutely was.'

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Wallace still feels he has an important role to play to ensure Carter's transition of taking charge is as seamless as possible.

The Royals' season is currently stopped because of the 'non-elite' football suspension.

But Wallace is planning talks with Carter - who is bringing assistant Gavin Spurway and coach Brett Poate with him - to give him an idea of the playing squad.

He is more than willing to keep offering his services where required.

‘The transition is going to be key,' added Wallace.

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‘It’s just to share a bit of knowledge on how the club works, what the club is all about. Dave’s a really capable guy and experienced at this level and the one above.

‘He (Dave) comes with great pedigree, great experience and a proven track record to get a club out of this league.

‘We’re getting some dates in the diary where we can get everyone together, albeit virtually, just to chat through where we are, the way ahead and I can hand over where I was with the first team squad, discuss players and look at the plans going forward.

‘I’ve offered my services via Paul to Dave and then we’ll chat to see how he wants to go forward.

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'I’m absolutely focused on giving him whatever support I can when I’m around.'

Wallace openly admitted if timings had been different he would have applied to take on the Royals job permanently.

However, his naval commitments are going to require him to be out of the country for sustained periods from next month for the foreseeable future.

But now he has had a taste of Wessex League management, he is keen to have a crack at it again when his work life allows.

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He said: ‘If it wasn’t for my pending job change then I would have been applying for the job permanently.

‘It’s something that I’ve definitely got aspirations to do and when the day job allows in the future it’s definitely an aspiration I’d like to fulfil.

‘This job has given me that little addition to the CV and spread my awareness in the wider footballing family that I’ve now got the ability to do that.

'It’s definitely given me a drive to fulfil the ambitions of being a gaffer in my own right for an extended period at this level.

‘Going forward, how that transpires, we’ll wait and see. It’s definitely something I’m looking to fulfill in the future.'