HARTLEY Wintney will be determined to sign off their great first season in the Souther League Premier South with a home victory over Dorchester on Saturday, to give first team head coach Luke Tuffs the send off he deserves.

This will be last game with the Row, as he looks to pursue a management role next season.

The club will be sad to lose such a hugely talented and popular member of their set-up, but he goes with the club's blessing

As first team coach, head coach and youth team manager, He has played a crucial part of the management set-up that has masterminded Hartley’s incredible rise up from the Combined Counties League to the Southern League Premier South, and without the benefit of a large budget or state-of-the-art facilities.

From shortly after its inception he also worked to establish Hartley Wintney’s under-18 side and guided them to victory over Aldershot in the Hampshire Youth Midweek Floodlit Cup in 2016/17.

Tuffs wanted to give this personal message to all the supporters at the club and said: "After four fantastic years as Hartley Wintney’s first team head coach, the time has come for me to move on to pastures new to continue my management and coaching career. This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in football, but I know it’s the right one for me.

"Hartley Wintney is a wonderful club that will always be dear to me. Our success over the last four years has been in no small part due to the people around the club that make it a special place to be for management and players. I’ll still be around the place when I can. Thanks for everything, and see you in the future."

Joint manager, Anthony Millerick, praised his long time friend and also wished him every success in management and said: "

“Although it’s a blow to be losing a close friend, a fantastically talented football person and someone who bleeds orange, we also recognise the desire Luke has to further himself in the football world.

“His contribution to all levels of football at Hartley has been incredible, from under eights all the way to the first team, and he will leave a massive footprint on our club. Luke will go with our full blessing, backing and support.”