BRIDPORT boss Chris Herbst admits his first season in charge of the Bees was a “big learning curve”.

Herbst graduated from the Bridport Reserves hotseat in October after the sacking of previous coach Edgar Marcu.

Bridport were, at that time, bottom of the South West Peninsula League Premier East and winless having been relegated from the Western League Premier Division in 2021/22.

However, Herbst then instigated a rebuilding process that galvanised the club and saw many players return to St Mary’s Field, including the likes of midfielder-turned-forward Tom Richardson.

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The result saw Bridport work their way up the table to 11th by the season’s end, although Herbst admitted he learned plenty during his first campaign.

Assessing his performance, Herbst told the Bridport News: “It’s been quite good, obviously things happen for a reason.

“It’s been a big learning curve because it’s difficult to manage your friends and, being quite young, that is one of the most testing things.

“You don’t want to drop your mates but you do make decisions. You’re not going to please everyone and it’s easier if you’re older and wiser.

“I’m just learning all the time. As a whole, the club’s quite together now and we’ll hopefully push on for next season. I’ve enjoyed it, anyway.”

Asked what the dynamic is like in the changing room, with several good friends playing for the Bees, Herbst said: “They’ve taken it well. If I was ever on the bench, I was fuming but I understood.

“I just ask them that when they do get their chance that they go and prove me wrong, go and put in a decent performance.”

The Bees will discover their first fixtures of the new season this morning (10am).

Bridport will hold their end-of-season awards this weekend and the Bees have confirmed they will not face Weymouth Under-23s in pre-season.