ALLAN SALVONA signed off as the Alloa Athletic Women team's manager after more than a year in the role.

Salvona appeared in the Recs dugout for the last time on Sunday, January 19 as the Wasps took on Drumchapel, a 2-0 victory for the visitors.

The gaffer had been in charge since the team’s conception in January 2021, but has decided to move on from the team to focus on his family.

Speaking exclusively to Advertiser Sport, Salvona reflected the past 12 months and what this means for the club going forward.

“I first spoke to the club around about the Clydebank away game (0-4), but we had some big games coming up so it didn’t feel like the right time to leave and cause so much upheaval.

“Once those games were over, it felt like the right time to hand over the reigns and put the family first for a little while and just see what comes from it down the line.

“I am disappointed to be leaving especially with the way we’ve gone – first opening games, we did very well and the last three we’ve struggled so it was a shame to go out on a defeat.

“I look at where we’ve come from though, starting a club and having literally no players, and now we’ve got a really good squad – decent in numbers and amazing in quality.

“Hopefully, this is a really good platform for somebody else to come in and progress the team on."

NO REGRETS: Allan Salvona leaves Alloa Athletic Womens team after a successful year in charge. Pictures by John Howie.

NO REGRETS: Allan Salvona leaves Alloa Athletic Women's team after a successful year in charge. Pictures by John Howie.

Alloa Athletic founded a women’s team in early 2021, with Salvona being brought in at the helm.

From there, he held an open recruitment drive and built a big enough squad to compete in the Biffa North/East League.

Salvona and the girls set the challenge of finishing in the top half of the league during their first season, which they accomplished after a 1-1 draw with Buchan Ladies on the last day of the season.

“It had its challenges,” Salvona added. “We were starting completely from scratch and looking for the calibre that the club deserved.

“Initially, the biggest challenge was balancing our training drills so that everyone was benefitting from them, regardless of technical ability.

“Towards the end of last season, we started to see a significant improvement in the results we were getting and the number of goals we scored.

“From a personal perspective, seeing the girls perform well and want to stay at the club, it shows how well you’ve done.

“The last 13 months have been nothing but positive on the whole – the club have been excellent, the support has been amazing.

“Everyone at the club, from senior figures right to the catering, makes you feel completely welcome.

“I can look back with no regrets and realise how far this team has come and will go.”

Alloa Athletic are yet to announce Salvona’s replacement, with the team next in action this Sunday away to Motherwell Development.