A RETIRED race horse trainer living in Cornwall is the unlikely new manager of Wiltshire League Premier Division side Marlborough Town.

And although Rod Simpson's first nine games in charge have yielded just one draw, the 55-year-old remains confident the club have a bright future.

His team have several teenagers, including a 15-year-old goalkeeper, and while he accepts they are not yet good enough to make an impact in the league, he believes they can only get better.

"I don't really care if we lose all 32 games this season, because we are building for the future," said Simpson.

"The players are all keen to play for Marlborough Town and the team morale is really good despite the poor results."

Simpson got involved when his son Peter started playing for the club.

"They didn't have a manager so I threw my hat in the ring and took over with the help of Paul Bicknell and John Sheeky," he said.

Simpson's home is in Cornwall and he still works in the horse racing industry. He is racing manager of Talent Racing and is also involved in corporate entertainment and is in demand as an after dinner speaker.

He spends his time commuting between Cornwall and his girlfriend's home in Aylesbury, but he keeps in close touch with Marlborough where his family from his first marriage still live.

"It may seem a bit strange for Marlborough to have a manager whose home is in Cornwall and who can't always get to matches on Saturdays, but I am committed to the club because the players are committed," he said.

He has already organised a new sponsor, Fox Electronics, and is looking at other ways to raise funds for the club.

Although better known in horse racing circles, Simpson has always been involved in football. His own playing career with Dorking Town in the old Athenian League was cut short by injury, but he became a referee eight years ago and still officiates in Sunday morning football.

He has already been in touch with his contacts in football, including West Ham manager Harry Redknapp former Wimbledon striker Alan Cork and former Swindon Town youth manager Jimmy Shoulder, who have offered help with fundraising

"I am also hoping to persuade a couple of professional football coaches to come down and take some training sessions," he said.

But how does training footballers compare with training horses?

"I think football is a bit like racing because if you have a good young horse you don't want to race him against a much better horse at first but give him an easy race or two.

"At Marlborough the team is packed with young players and ideally a few easy games would do them good. Unfortunately there are no easy games in the Wilts Premier so we just have to continue the learning curve and I'm sure the side will start picking up a few points soon.

"Off the field the team has been kitted out by news sponsors Fox Electronics and my ambition is to see all the advertising boards around the ground taken and, who knows, perhaps we may be able to get the sponsor for floodlights.

"The pitch and the club house are excellent and the envy of many sides who visit Elcot Lane.

"In the past players have known we have got great facilities, but have always thought the team was poorly run. We hope to change that perception.

"We need some more experienced players at the club and anyone interested will be made more than welcome at our training sessions on Thursdays, from 6.30pm."

Simpson hit the headlines in the Racing Post recently when a horse he bought for 900 gns to win a seller won the Group Two Diadem Stakes at Ascot for the powerful Godolphin stable.

Sampower Star trained by Simpson as a two year old was laid out for a Brighton seller with over £25,000 in bets riding on him. Unfortunately for Rod the horse was beaten in a photograph. Shortly after Simpson retired once again and Sampower Star moved to Richard Hannon's yard and was later bought by Godolphin for £450,000 unfortunately there was not cut for Rod.

"I must admit I still miss riding out and training horses and I suppose if the right offer came along I would come out of retirement.

"Over the years I have had some smashing people to work for and turned out plenty of winners on the flat and over the jumps.

"One of my particular favourites was Nipper Reed who was with me as a two year old when I was a contract trainer for Jimmy Neville in Wales. I was there from 1992 to 95 and it was a very enjoyable time. Jimmy eventually took over himself and still sends out winners from his yard near Newport.

"Going back to the early days in the eighties I enjoyed training at Upper Lambourn."