Gilbert and Stevens looking ahead to Tavistock.
9:25am Thursday 1st November 2012 in Sport By Ben Power, Sports Reporter
Falmouth Town have announced the appointment of Les Gilbert and Robbie Stevens as first team managers.
The duo arrive at Bickland Park with a wealth of experience, having spent two years at Truro City where they lead the White Tigers to two Cornwall Senior Cup semi-finals,and a League Cup semi-final before being sacked by then-chairman, Kevin Heaney.
A statement released by the club on Monday night said: "Falmouth Town are delighted to welcome the appointment of Robbie Stevens and Les Gilbert as joint managers of our 1st team.
"They are taking up the reins with immediate effect, being in charge of the forthcoming match away to Tavistock on Saturday.
"The Board of Directors, Head of Football, Steve Kimberley, and players are 100% behind the appointment and look forward to an exciting future."
Gilbert told the Packet he couldn’t wait to get started, but admitted there’s some work to do if Falmouth are to resurrect their season.
“For me Falmouth Town is still the biggest club in the county,” he said. “We were fortunate enough to be at Truro which is a big club, but I think Falmouth’s the same.
“When I was growing up they were the top club, and they always will be in my eyes.
“But I don’t think people are enjoying their football at the moment, things are a bit of a mess, and we’ll be trying to do something about that.”
Gilbert and Stevens have been out of management for the past five years since leaving Treyew Road, but Falmouth Town head of football Steve Kimberley said he had no concerns over whether the pair were still up to the challenge.
“They come very highly recommended, and the reponse we’ve had to the news has been amazing.
“I know they’ve been away from the game for a few years, but you don’t forget how to ride a bike.”
Gilbert inherits a squad lacking in confidence if not ability, and said he was already aware of a number of players who were questioning their future at Bickland Park.
“It’s not a happy place with recent results, and from what I’ve been told there are a couple of people who want to leave, but it’s going to take time,” he said. “We need to improve a little bit and I think a mid-table finish this season would be a decent achievement, but we haven’t got a magic wand. Like I said, it’s going to take time.”
Gilbert brings with him long-time friend and managerial partner, Robbie Stevens.
“Me and Robbie were at Truro together and we did well there.
“We got to three cup semi-finals - actually we had just reached our third when Mr Heaney pushed us out.
“We’re very good friends and we work well together. We both think the same way about football.
“You could say we’re very much a double act.”
