Southern Sage delighted to be on board at ambitious and fast-rising Portishead

ROB Sage reflected on the early weeks of his new role as first-team coach at fast-rising Portishead Town and said: “It’s been a fantastic experience so far.”

- Simon PARKINSON

The 38-year-old, well versed on the coaching and management fronts thanks to stints with Hallen, Bitton and Avonmouth among others, finds himself back in the thick of it having taken a break from football activity of any description last season, citing “family reasons.”

With Sage on board, operating alongside an already distinguished and dedicated management team led by Kye Mountford, Portishead tomorrow travel to take on fellow second-tier high-fliers Winchester City with three wins from three under their belt, while last Saturday’s stunning 4-0 home victory over Melksham Town in the FA Trophy propelled Posset into a second round qualifying affair, and another testing and enticing one at that, away against fellow league newcomers Hartpury next Saturday.

Of his call to Portishead, Sage explained: “Kye had been on to me for quite a while about joining him, and I regret not doing sooner.

“It’s brilliant here; the way it’s run is so structured, so professional. At only 39, Kye is a young manager still and he’s a gem.

“Kye knows the scene; he’s been around at this level as a player too for a long time. He’s built a strong side here, but what he never does is allow things to stagnate. He keeps trying to evolve and not allow two fantastic back-to-back promotions cloud his desire, his judgements, to keep progressing.

“He manages to bring new players in, shake things up a bit, while maintaining the changing room spirit and togetherness. That's never easy.

“Kye is constantly looking at who is out there, assessing people who can potentially help us. He’s a full-time manager in a semipro league and I’m really not sure who pays all his telephone bills!”