RYAN Hall admits he felt he ‘took the group as far as I can’ after recently stepping down as manager of SWPL Premier West outfit Holsworthy.

The Magpies enjoyed a superb 2024/25 season, ending seventh, as well as reaching a fourth successive Torridge Cup final where they lost 3-0 to Torridgeside.

Hall, who took over from Liam Dart midway through the 2020/21 season, admitted it was the right time to go.

He said: “I have taken the decision to step down because I genuinely believe I have taken the group as far as I can.

“I wanted to be able to go out under my terms and I feel the club couldn’t be left in a better place, with a plan, three thriving teams, and a first team which has a core of homegrown players who want to play for the club.

“I look back on my time with pre-found fondness, I’ve loved every minute of my time with my hometown club. I never for one minute thought football management would have been my bag. In truth, it was forced onto me, but looking back, it was the best opportunity I could have ever been offered and one I look back on with immense pride.

“We have had some great times, some more difficult times but, as I alluded to earlier, I leave the club in a much better place than when I started.”

Hall admitted that this season was special. He added: “To reach four Torridge Cup finals in a row isn’t bad going at all. This year we managed to record our highest finish in our SWPL history, beating our 10th in the 2021/22 campaign.”

Hall is well-liked in the local community and has already used some of his new-found spare time to turn out for Holsworthy Cricket Club - and he wants people to show their support at Upcott Field.

“The club has some great people and I really do wish them all the best,” he added. “They work selflessly to keep the club going and I urge everyone and anyone to get involved with their local sports club; there’s so many things that need to be done and often is the case this is done by so few.”

He thanked the committee for their support and second team boss Adam Wosnitzka, saying: “A huge thanks has to go to Steve Lee for offering me the role in the first place, Andy Langman, our vice-chairman for the constant support and dedication to improvement around the club, all of our committee members for working tirelessly to keep the club moving forward despite the challenges and, finally, to the second team manager Adam Wosnitzka for his support, enthusiasm and flexibility to help driving the club and the teams forward. He’s a diamond and I cannot thank him enough.”

Such is Hall’s stock at the moment, he maybe back in the dugout sooner than expected.

He said: “The plan was to take a break and help out around the club when I had a spare minute, but to my complete shock I have been approached by two clubs to go in and assist with their management teams, both of which are huge opportunities for me. It means I need to weigh up my options, speak with my family and go from there.”