Yeovil Town Ladies FC can confirm that Sarah Lawler is to stand down as first team Manager (and from the Club’s Board), after this Saturday’s game with Watford.

Lawler (pictured above left) will be succeeded by Jamie Sherwood who will be first team Manager for the rest of the FAWSL 2 season. Chris White remains as Assistant Manager and Pete Amos as Head Coach.

Lawler’s decision to stand down has been prompted by her recent appointment as the FA Regional Elite Women’s Coach Developer (South West).

Lawler’s 10 year career at Yeovil has seen a meteoric rise through the ranks from being a player to one of the most promising Managers in the FA WSL. She was also a key driver, along with club Chairman David Mills and the committee, in the Club’s successful FA WSL application.

Commenting Club Chairman David Mills said “We are immensely proud that Sarah has got this appointment even though it means she has to stand down. Naturally we are very sad to see her step down as Manager but I have always known that she had a bright future beyond YTLFC and it was only a matter of time before she moved on to bigger and better things.

"The Club owes Sarah a massive debt of gratitude and she will go down in Club history as top notch Manager and someone who played a key role in getting us into the FA WSL. If anyone is looking for a role model for females to follow in respect of getting into football management, Sarah is it."

Commenting on the appointment of Sherwood as first team Manager, Mills said “Jamie has only recently joined us as Assistant Coach, but he has already proved at Cardiff City LFC that he is a great Manager and we had no hesitation is asking him to step in. With key people like Peter Amos, Chris White and the rest of the Coaching team and back room staff staying in place, we still have a great management set up that will build on the foundations

Sarah has created."

Lawler herself was obviously sad to step down as Manager and said ”I am so proud of what we have achieved at the club on and off this pitch and want to sincerely thank all the players, back room staff, volunteers and supporters who have been so committed during my time as manager.

"It’s been an emotional week having to break the news to the Board, staff and players about my decision to leave given my new position with The FA, but the role is an amazing opportunity for me and to develop and support the FA’s Female Talent Pathway in the South West."

Lawler went on to say that she was very confident about the Club’s future "I hope everyone can recognise that the club and the squad of players at Yeovil Town Ladies FC has never looked as strong and that it’s a really exciting few months ahead for everyone.

"The new manager, Jamie Sherwood, is a person I trust whole heartily to lead the players with the values we hold close as a club. Looking back over the last 10 years there are so many good memories and experiences that that I will never forget and the club will always be close to my heart."