IT will be the end of an era at Bewdley Town on Saturday as the long-serving management team of Craig Payton and Bryan Lacey take charge of their final match at Ribbesford Meadow.

The duo will take to the dugout one more time as Bewdley tackle Dudley Sports in the West Midlands Premier (3pm ko).

Former players and supporters are being urged to turn up to say their goodbyes to the dedicated duo before they step down to take other roles at the club.

Payton has been manager of the first team for 24 years and been involved with Bewdley for a total of 38 years, while Lacey has been his joint manager since 2002.

They have guided Town from the Kidderminster League to the West Midlands Premier, twice winning the Worcestershire Senior Urn and County Cup and qualifying Bewdley for the FA Cup and Vase for the first time in their history.

“It would be great if former players and fans come down to see our last home game in charge,” said Payton.

“It has been an incredible journey, from the Kidderminster League to the West Midlands League, and my proudest moment was Bewdley playing in the FA Cup.

“For a club of our size to be involved in that competition was a dream come true.

“Winning the Worcestershire Senior Urn twice was also a dream.

“But it is not just Bryan and myself, the club have some fantastic people working incredibly hard behind the scenes and we have also had some tremendous players.”

Phil Mullen and assistant Paul ‘Ocker’ Davies will take over first-team affairs once the season has finished.

It will also be the final home clash for Striker Chris Hough and midfielder Craig Webb, who are both hanging up their boots at the end of the season.

Payton hailed Hough as the club’s star player.

He said: “Chris has been the best player we’ve ever had at Bewdley.

“He’s consistently scored goals for us and he has turned down the chance to play for Kidderminster Harriers, Stourport Swifts and Bromsgrove Rovers to stay here.”

Bewdley will also hold a collection for Lee Williamson, who suffered a broken tibia and fibia against Shawbury last week.

Meanwhile, Town continue to end the season strongly, defeating Wednesfield on Saturday as Simon Rudd, Russ Godfrey and Jon Seekings scored in a 3-1 win.

Brothers Chris and Jon Seekings both bagged a brace as Town saw off Cradley 4-1 on Tuesday night.

Bewdley have a League Cup quarter-final against Ellesmere on May 17.