EAST Cowes Vics manager Richie Woodburn has likened bringing Ian Potts to the club as his number two as reviving a Peter Taylor-Brian Clough style partnership.

Ian, assistant to Max Draper, left Cowes Sports this week after 12 years at Westwood Park to work again with Richie, who was the Yachtsman boss between 2012 and 2017.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ian Potts, with the Isle of Wight (Senior) Gold Cup with Cowes Sports.Ian Potts, with the Isle of Wight (Senior) Gold Cup with Cowes Sports.

During that period, they transformed Cowes from being the fourth team of Island football to the top club — turning the Yachtsmen into a force in Division 1 of the Sydenhams Wessex League and getting them promoted to the Premier, where they have remained ever since — albeit surviving perennial relegation battles to do so.

Ian,who served under numerous managers at Cowes and three stints as caretaker boss, said: "It was difficult leaving Cowes in one way and crossing the River Medina, after being there 12 years, but I worked with Richie for half that time and things were really good.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ian Potts.Ian Potts.

"Teaming up with Richie was a no brainer really. Times have changed and I felt the time was right to leave Cowes.

"I fancied a fresh challenge. Vics today are like Cowes were when Richie and I worked together before. I can't say we'll have the same success, but we'll give it a go.

"Teaming up with Richie again has given me back the hunger, passion and desire for football that perhaps was missing after scrapping in a relegation battle the past four seasons." 

Richie, who rates Potts very highly, said of this week's appointment at Beatrice Avenue: "It's like Brian Clough getting Peter Taylor back, as it was at Nottingham Forest.

Isle of Wight County Press: Richie Woodburn has teamed up with number two, Ian Potts again, hoping to replicate the success they had together at Cowes Sports.Richie Woodburn has teamed up with number two, Ian Potts again, hoping to replicate the success they had together at Cowes Sports.

"We work well together, we're mates and we both have the same ideas about football and how it should be played.

"I'm always able to bounce ideas off him, he has good contacts in the game and you find me anyone more experienced or knowledgable in the local game.

"Ian deserves the plaudits. It is the biggest coup Vics could achieve, getting him on board.

"I've sold him to the lads, apart from the ex-Cowes lads who already know what he's about. I'm well chuffed.

Isle of Wight County Press: East Cowes Vics boss Richie Woodburn has likened his teaming up again with Ian Potts to the successful partnership of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, of Nottingham Forest. East Cowes Vics boss Richie Woodburn has likened his teaming up again with Ian Potts to the successful partnership of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, of Nottingham Forest.

"I'm not looking to add much more to the squad. I've fallen in love with this squad of boys I inherited last season.

"I'm gutted the season ended the way it did with the coronavirus outbreak as I thought we had turned a corner.

"Our form and results were comfortably that of a mid-table side and not one languishing down at the bottom end of the table.

"I'm really looking forward to the new season, working with Ian, the squad and the rest of the team at the club and continuing our progression.

"I'm quietly confident we won't be down at the bottom. Since I took over, the lads have thrived on what I have tried to do, although admittedly it is frustrating we're not able to get a reserve team up together."