FORMER Minehead manager Alex Pope has joined Southern League club Tiverton Town as first team coach.

Pope, who spent 18 months with Minehead, turned down the chance to take charge of Wellington last month where he was joint manager.

He said: "I've been talking to Tiverton for some time. I had to consider my coaching business at Exeter and how it would fit in with me joining Tiverton. It involves more travelling."

It is no secret that Pope wanted a bigger playing budget to manage Wellington next season. He felt the club would not make any progress in the Toolstation League if the budget stayed the same.