Frustrated O’Callaghan quits as Racing Club boss

It brings to an end a five-and-a-half month spell in charge at Townsend Meadow for the former Woodford and Southam United manager, who will be replaced by his assistant Tony Clarke.

O’Callaghan, who informed the players of his decision last Thursday, took charge of his final game on Saturday, leading Racers to an 8-3 win against Coventry Spires in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup.

He leaves the club one off the bottom of the Midland Combination Premier Division and with only one league win from their last ten.

However, he said it was not the club’s onfield performances but the players’ lack of commitment that was the main reason for his walking away.

“It is something I’ve thought about for the last two or three weeks,” admitted O’Callaghan.

“I’ve found it hard to manage at this level.

“It’s not the getting beat every week, it’s the mentality of the players.

“You speak to them on a Thursday and then they just don’t turn up on a Saturday.

“The hardcore that are here are good lads and an honest bunch, but I’m getting four, five, six drop out every Saturday morning.

“It’s been frustrating and players have seen the frustration in me.

“I spoke to Tony Clarke and said I was unhappy with the situation and he said he’d take it on.

“If he hadn’t I would have continued until the end of the season.”

O’Callaghan took over in the close-season with the aim of supplementing the best of the local talent with Southern League experience.

But, with more than fifty players having been through the books already this season, he admits he was running low on further reinforcements.

“The only players I know are Southern League players and they don’t want to drop down to this level,” he said.

“So the best thing for me is to step down and give Tony a fresh start.”

Former Rugby Town assistant manager Clarke, who is from Warwick, takes charge of his first game tomorrow night when Racers travel to Pershore Town (7.45pm).

 Read the thoughts of Clarke in Friday’s Courier & Weekly News.