BRIDPORT caretaker boss Shaun Annetts has described the Bees’ 2021/22 season as his “toughest year in football”.

Long-time Bees servant Annetts was named assistant manager to Rob Marquis back in May but the Bees have endured a miserable campaign, losing 24 of 25 league games thus far.

Marquis decided walk away from St Mary’s Field on a mutual basis just before Christmas, Annetts filling in until the end of the season or until a new boss can be found.

And with a youthful and inexperienced Bridport side languishing at the bottom of the Toolstation Western League Premier Division, Annetts gave a candid account of the Bees’ struggles.

He said: “This has been probably my toughest year in football, certainly playing, coaching and managing.

“It would’ve been easy to have walked away but the club have asked to me to take the reins and steer them in the remaining games.

“I’ve been at the club now quite a few years and I’m going to do the best job I can.

“We all do this because we enjoy it, and it hasn’t been particularly enjoyable seeing us struggling like we have.

“I will try and get the best out of the players. If I can see that we’re more competitive, which is my main objective, that’s all I can expect.

“Then, there’s a massive job in the summer to find the managers that can bring in and recruit some players that can play at this level.

“As soon as the club finds someone to take it on, then I will gracefully step away. Until then, I’m doing the decent thing and running the team as best I can in the period we’ve got left.”

Annetts also spoke of convincing some Bees players to play more regularly.

He said: “There is the possibility of not so much new signings but players that are signed and choose not to play.

“They’re the ones I need to try and see whether they can help me, the football club and their town.

“We’ve got 11 games left now, which isn’t a lot. All I can hope for is that we get performances and we are more competitive for 90 minutes.

“If we can achieve that, it would be a big plus.”

Bridport now have no league game until Saturday, January 22 when Shepton Mallet visit St Mary's Field.