CHARLIE GRIFFIN plans to appoint a new assistant manager this week following the surprise departure of Paul ‘Oggie’ Hunt.

Oggie, brought in by Griffin when he became manager last September, was not in the dug-out when Cirencester Town ran out convincing 4-1 winners on their visit to Western League opponents Malmesbury Vics on Saturday.

Hunt has previously been assistant to Adi Viveash during his 16-month tenure as Town manager from 2007.  

“I had a long chat with Oggie last week and he said he felt he could no longer give the role his 100 per cent commitment,” said Griffin after the Vics game.

“I appreciate that as there is a lot involved what with training, sometimes two games a week and also going to see other games looking for players and watching future opposition.

“I have two or three names in mind and I hope to make a decision in the next few days.”

Griffin was delighted with his emerging Ciren squad who put four goals past the Vics and it could have been many more.

Though dominating the first half the Centurions did not get in front until a uncharacteristic fumble from Vics keeper Mark Billingsley allowed captain Alan Griffin to nod home the opener five minutes before half-time.

Two goals in as many minutes at the start of the second half settled the result.

Griffin scored with a textbook header from a Henry Spalding corner which was followed by an exquisite chip from Adam Connolly.

A neat finish from the industrious Ben Whitehead after fine work from triallist Connor Teague – an ex-Cirencester Town youngster who was a prolific striker for Hellenic Div Two West champions Bourton Rovers last season – completed the scoring for the visitors.

Vics’ U18 Player of the Year last season, Joe Tranter, bagged a consolation for the hosts.

Griffin offered a deal to hard-working midfielder Louis Loader after the game, bringing the additions to last year’s squad to six, the others being ex-Bishops Cleeve quartet – Matt Wieczorek, Jordan Stoddart, Jack Watts and Jack Horrell – along with Ben Whitehead.

Griffin feels that ex-Banbury player Felipe Barcelos, who played in the opening two warm-up games, could be slipping through his fingers but expects Forest Green Rovers’ first-season pro Jordan Morris to pull on a Cirencester shirt for the first time this week ahead of his loan deal until January.

Cirencester Town travel to play Mark Pritchett’s Tuffley Rovers on Tuesday, Fairford Town on Thursday and are due to entertain Cheltenham U23s on a training pitch at the Corinium Stadium on Saturday, as the new 3G pitch has yet to be completed.

Future cup dates now on the diary are: Saturday, August 19 – FA Cup Preliminary Round, away to Aylesbury; Saturday October 7 – FA Trophy, away to Evesham United.

Cirencester Town begin the new Evo-Stik South West campaign by christening the new artificial surface against last season’s play-off candidates Taunton Team when manager Griffin will cross swords with former team-mates like Les Afful and Matt Wright.

Meanwhile, Malmesbury Vics manager Kev Bridgeman was satisfied with his side’s second friendly of pre-season.

“It was a good workout for the lads against Ciren,” said Bridgeman. “Mark (Billingsley) was devastated in the changing room at half-time after his mistake gave them their first goal. But he had made a great save just before that. “I was just disappointed that we didn’t do our jobs at the start of the second half when they got two more goals.”

Bridgeman also revealed that ex-Cirencester Town player Tim Bond faces a long time out of the game after the injury he suffered in the opening game of pre-season at home to Brimscombe.

The game was abandoned late on when Bond was injured in a tackle that resulted in a dislocated knee and snapped ligaments.

“It is very tough for the lad,” said Bridgeman. “The doctors say he will be off work for nine months and unable to play football for two seasons.”