Hutch is Hale’s new assistant
By Adam Summers & Rob Meech

Wednesday 17th June 2009

WEYMOUTH manager Matty Hale has brought in Ian Hutchinson as his new assistant following the sudden departure of Andy Tillson to Exeter City.

Tillson’s shock exit came as a bitter blow for the Terras’ boss but as soon as the ex-Bristol Rovers skipper informed him of his decision to join the Grecians there was only one person that Hale wanted to fill the void.

He said: “It was disappointing to lose Andy so early but finding his replacement was a very easy decision for me.

“As soon as I took the job here at Weymouth I contacted Hutch to see if he wanted to come on board with Andy and I in some sort of role but he decided he wanted to be more involved than perhaps he would have been at that point.

“But now Andy has gone to Exeter it has provided a great opportunity for him. Not only is he a good coach but I also know he can look after the players and strike up a good relationship with them.

“However, the most important thing for me is that he is someone I can trust. I have always kept in touch with him and he is a good friend, and with him living in Weymouth as well it gives us someone around the town, who can perhaps do things when I cannot make it down.

“So it gives us the best of both worlds and I could not be more delighted.”

Hutchinson, whose stewardship of Toolstation Western League Division One outfit Bridport lasted 13 months, admitted this opportunity was “too good to turn down”.

The 36-year-old, who turned in more than 550 appearances for the Terras, revealed he had made up his mind soon after Hale had contacted him on Sunday night.

Hutchinson said: “Matty rang me and explained the situation with Andy Tillson leaving and said he wanted me there as his number two.

“I had to mull it over and spoke to a few people but in the end it was a no-brainer. To get the chance to return to Weymouth and work with Matty was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“I’ve had a fantastic time at Bridport during the last year and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity given to me by them. It wasn’t a case of just walking away but their chairman (Adrian Scadding) was aware of my situation and the fact I was at Weymouth for 12 years.

“This has all happened very quickly but football is a funny game and you never know what’s round the corner.”

And Hutchinson believes the infrastructure is now in place for Weymouth to recapture past glories – but concedes it may take time to stabilise a club bound by financial restraints.

He added: “Matty and I will bounce well off each other. We have both worn the shirt and know what it means to play for the club and what it means to the town.

“The supporters deserve better than they’ve had recently and now there are Weymouth people on the board and in the management team.

“It won’t be easy and we can’t expect a miracle in the first season but I’m confident Matty and I will work well together because we’re Weymouth through and through. Matty said when he was appointed that it is like coming home and that’s exactly how I feel.”