Wells City boss targets next step after squad turns corner

By Laura Linham 30th Oct 2026

Local Sport by Laura Linham 1 hour ago

Wells City manager Steve Murray is looking beyond a difficult start to the season after his rebuilt squad collected ten points from four matches. A 2-0 victory over Tavistock capped the unbeaten sequence and strengthened his belief that Wells are finding their feet in the Western League Premier Division.

Jake Brown and Doug Ponelo scored against Tavistock, with a clean sheet completing the win. The result followed away victories over Street and Sidmouth and a draw against Buckland Athletic.

Speaking on the Jewson Western League podcast, Murray praised his players' response after a summer in which the club had little time to prepare for promotion. Wells were handed their place at Step 5 at the end of June, having previously missed out in the Division One play-offs following a penalty shootout against Sturminster Newton.

The late promotion came alongside significant departures. Murray lost his assistant manager, first-choice goalkeeper and club captain, leaving him to rebuild around three-quarters of the squad during a shortened preparation period.

Wells began the campaign in the bottom two, but the subsequent improvement has given Murray grounds to look higher. His immediate target is a mid-table finish, with the possibility of moving towards the play-off places as the team continues to settle.

He credited the club's committee with helping make the transition possible. Support with team transport and facilities had helped Wells attract players despite operating on a modest budget.

The longer-term ambition is another step up the football pyramid. Murray said discussions with chairman Alex Petheram had focused on building a sustainable club capable of challenging for Step 4 football within the next two to three seasons.

That would mean a further promotion beyond the Premier Division, where Wells are still adapting to the demands of their summer move. For now, the recent results have provided encouragement after an unsettled opening to the campaign.

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Wells are scheduled to travel to Liskeard Athletic on Saturday, 31 October. The full interview with Murray is available in episode ten of the Jewson Western League podcast.