PRESTWICH Heys have parted company with their manager of the last 15 months, Mike McNeill.

The decision to go separate ways came last week-end after Heys had opened their pre-season campaign with a 3-2 win over North West Counties League Oldham Town.

However, Heys had struggled to raise a team for the game, making up their side with youth players and last minute recruits.

This came 48 hours after the scheduled pre-season opener against Clitheroe had to be cancelled as Heys could not muster a side and with pre-season training having been poorly attended, there were serious concerns for the season ahead and this culminated in McNeill's departure from Sandgate Road after just one season in the job.

Reserve team manager Mike McMahon has been installed as caretaker manager while a decision is taken on a successor.

In last Saturday's fixture, Tommy Ruddock inspired Heys to victory with a well taken hat-trick against a hugely disappointing Oldham side. The Heys' striker struck twice in the first half and completed his hat-trick with a spectacular volley early in the second period of a largely mundane fixture when the visitors fielded two separate sides, one for each half.

The greater resources of the Oldham side told in the last quarter against a wilting Heys and two late goals, including one with the last kick of the game, gave them some respectability.

Heys' preparations continue tomorrow with a double header at Sandgate Road that begins at 12.30pm when the Reserves entertain East Cheshire League Poynton Nomads. The action continues at 3pm with the first team entertaining North West Counties League Castleton Gabriels.

The build-up to the season continues on Tuesday night when Ramsbottom United provide the first team opposition (7pm).

When the Manchester League season gets underway on August 14, Heys will open with a home game, Urmston, and will follow it with three further home fixtures against Stand, Willows and Dukinfield.

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