Chris Upbeat About Prospects At Maine Road
Wed 12th August 2015 | Maine Road | By Ian Templeman
After a winning start to the campaign at Silsden on Saturday, Maine Road manager Chris Hirst is looking for his side to push on and make an impact at the top of the table this season.
Chris took over managerial responsibilities for the first team towards the end of last season, becoming only the ninth manager in Maine Road’s 60 year history.
He also continues the tradition of former players coming back to manager the club, having made 33 appearances for the club between 2009 and 2012.
“I decided to join Maine Road midway through the 2009-2010 season following my release from Macclesfield Town”, explained Chris. “I had been on a two year scholarship programme which provided me with the opportunity to earn a one year professional contract.
“It was on the recommendation of former player James Rothel, who introduced me to (Maine Road Secretary) Derek Barber, and within a week I was making my first-team debut.
“Maine Road was always the club who I enjoyed playing for the most, because the club plays football the right way, we try to keep the ball on the floor and attack in numbers”.
Injury has since forced Chris to focus more on coaching in the past couple of years, but he insists that he has been enjoying the experience and doesn’t miss playing too much.
“Unfortunately, I had to stop playing due to two bad ankle injuries, but I feel this was a blessing in disguise as I now have more time to focus on developing as a coach and a manager”, he said.
“Last season I was assisting Derek with the reserves, and this quickly progressed to managing the reserves, and then the first-team for the last ten games of the season”.
Now, with a mixture of last season’s squad and new recruits over the summer, Chris is optimistic about his squad’s potential this season.
“I thoroughly enjoyed managing the team at the end of the season, as results went our way more often than not. This was largely down to the positive attitude and hard work of the players, which we will look to take in to the new season.
“I feel that the valuable first-team experience that the young players received last season, along with the new additions of both senior and younger players will stand the club in good stead, and we are looking forward to the season ahead”.
Chris Upbeat About Prospects At Maine Road
Wed 12th August 2015 | Maine Road
By Ian Templeman
After a winning start to the campaign at Silsden on Saturday, Maine Road manager Chris Hirst is looking for his side to push on and make an impact at the top of the table this season.
Chris took over managerial responsibilities for the first team towards the end of last season, becoming only the ninth manager in Maine Road’s 60 year history.
He also continues the tradition of former players coming back to manager the club, having made 33 appearances for the club between 2009 and 2012.
“I decided to join Maine Road midway through the 2009-2010 season following my release from Macclesfield Town”, explained Chris. “I had been on a two year scholarship programme which provided me with the opportunity to earn a one year professional contract.
“It was on the recommendation of former player James Rothel, who introduced me to (Maine Road Secretary) Derek Barber, and within a week I was making my first-team debut.
“Maine Road was always the club who I enjoyed playing for the most, because the club plays football the right way, we try to keep the ball on the floor and attack in numbers”.
Injury has since forced Chris to focus more on coaching in the past couple of years, but he insists that he has been enjoying the experience and doesn’t miss playing too much.
“Unfortunately, I had to stop playing due to two bad ankle injuries, but I feel this was a blessing in disguise as I now have more time to focus on developing as a coach and a manager”, he said.
“Last season I was assisting Derek with the reserves, and this quickly progressed to managing the reserves, and then the first-team for the last ten games of the season”.
Now, with a mixture of last season’s squad and new recruits over the summer, Chris is optimistic about his squad’s potential this season.
“I thoroughly enjoyed managing the team at the end of the season, as results went our way more often than not. This was largely down to the positive attitude and hard work of the players, which we will look to take in to the new season.
“I feel that the valuable first-team experience that the young players received last season, along with the new additions of both senior and younger players will stand the club in good stead, and we are looking forward to the season ahead”.
