GRAHAM Blake has become the sole manager of Porthleven AFC’s first team.

The former Helston Athletic reserves boss shared the managerial duties with Jamie Thomson last season, with the pair guiding the team to eighth place in their debut season in the South West Peninsula League Premier West.

But Blake has become the sole manager with Thomson taking on a new role as player-head coach.

The reshuffle has been borne out of Thomson’s desire to continue playing, with the former Helston skipper’s on-pitch action being restricted last season as he was reluctant to pick himself.

This small change in structure will see Blake assume the mantle of sole manager and allow Thomson to make himself available for selection, while the latter retains control of the coaching side of things.

The club is also looking to appoint an assistant manager, with Darren Walker remaining as coach.

Thomson said: “The view this season is for me to take a role as more like head coach than manager because last season I found it hard, even though I was capable and still willing, to name myself in the eleven.

“Some people can but I just found it hard to ask players to commit and say, ‘It doesn’t matter, I’m going to play myself anyway,’ so this season I’m going to be more as a player-head coach and Blakey is going to manage.”

Blake said: “Thommo’s obviously come in last season and did a great job with me, but also on the other side of things he feels he can still do a job as a player, which I believe in as well.

“As a manager I think he can still do a job in there sitting in front of the back three and a have a role because of his experience, and when he did play last year I think he made a difference.

“It’s hard being a manager, it’s not as easy as you think it is and I think he came in last season and realised that it’s not quite as easy as he thought it’d be!"

He added: “I think it helps us both as well because I think I can now be just me without Thommo, who obviously was great, but I can take it on my path whereas Thommo can take his coaching his way and I think it’ll work a lot better that way.”