Risca United manager steps down due to personal reasons

Risca United manager Simon Berry has announced he is stepping down from his position after almost eight years at the club.

Caerphilly Observer spoke to Simon after a club statement on social media.

He said: “It’s nothing sinister. Due to personal circumstances, I’ve decided I couldn’t give 100% until the end of the season.

“I’m an all-in kind of person, and I didn’t want to be missing training sessions or matches. It was a difficult decision, but I feel like it’s the right one. It wouldn’t have been fair on the team.”

The Cuckoos currently sit second in the Ardal South East with just eight games remaining in the season. They have played a few more games than the sides around them however.

Simon continued: “We gave it a good go last season but ultimately fell short in the playoff of bouncing back. Looking back, perhaps then might have been the right time to step away.

“I’m still going to be doing a few bits behind the scenes and I’ll obviously be there to watch my two boys play on match days. It just means I don’t have to be there at 11am”, he joked.

Risca United thanked Simon for his efforts over the years, describing the “highs and lows” of success in tier two, but relegation to the Ardal South East two seasons ago.

Simon will be replaced by youth team manager Nathan Bracegirdle until the end of the season.

“I just need a couple of months away, but things change, who knows. Hopefully things will get better soon.”