New Winsford Boss Keeps Momentum Going
Thu 24th February 2011 | Winsford United | By Ian Templeman
New Winsford United manager Ian Street is looking for his side to put in a strong finish as they keep pace with New Mills at the top of the Premier Division.
Ian stepped up to the manager's job when Chris Willcock left for Woodley Sports a few weeks back, and he is delighted to be back in a manager's job once again with a club pushing for promotion.
"I'd had a couple of what I would call unlucky seasons at Bamber Bridge, and at Witton Albion last season I was hoping to get the manager's job there at one point. When that didn't happen, I had decided I wasn't going to be involved in football this season, but when Chris was appointed he got on the phone and enticed me down, and I'm glad I came down.
"I always had an inkling Chris might leave at some point. Both Chris and myself are ambitious, we've both managed in the Unibond League in the past, and want to manage at the highest level we can. Chris asked me to go to Woodley with him, but when I was offered the chance to take over the manager's job at Winsford I had only one thing on my mind, and that was to get back in charge at a club again. It was a good job to carry on doing, and I had no hesitation in accepting it.
"It was a great opportunity for me, they are a good set of lads, and everything was going in the right direction. Normally you pick jobs up with struggling teams, but we are at the right end of the table, we've got 12 games left now and it's up to us to try and pick up as many points as we can.
"For the last couple of seasons Winsford have been at the wrong end of the table, and it's encouraging for the club to be at the right end of the table for a change."
Although Ian is not immediately planning on making changes to the playing squad, he did make one important signing within a couple of weeks of taking over.
"I've brought Kevin Birkenshaw on board to assist me as it's a tough job to do on your own. Kevin works at Stockport County as a scout and a coach so he knows his stuff and it's a great help to have him. The first week I was on my own and doing everything, and I knew I needed to get some help. I spent that first week making sure I had the right person on board with me and I'm sure I have. Kevin's enthusiasm is great and the lads have responded to him.
"I'm not looking to change anything on the playing side, that was one of the first things I said to the lads when I took over. I've not been on the phone checking up on new players, everyone will get the same chances as they have had all season.
"I've not treated it as the start of something new or anything like that, it was just a continuation. Chris and me were virtually working as joint managers anyway, although Chris had the final decision on things."
Looking ahead, Ian is confident his side will continue putting pressure on New Mills at the top of the table, and is drawing on his previous experience to guide his squad through the remaining weeks of the season.
"This league isn't as intense as the Evo-Stik League, although I try to get the lads thinking along those lines and put the same sort of pressures on them as they could expect if they were playing in that league. But the standard in this league is good. New Mills are a top side, and Ramsbottom, Squires Gate and Barnoldswick Town are good sides too. The games we've had against them have been good games and good contests.
"Talking to the managers at Ramsbottom last week they have the same view as me, they are loving it at the moment. The competition at the top of the table is interesting and it's just a case for us of trying to finish as high as we can.
"Looking from the outside, in the last couple of seasons I've been disappointed for Winsford with where they have been, with them having been a Northern Premier League club in the past. The ambition is there at the club, and we've not given up on top spot. After all New Mills could go on a bad run, you never know in football."
New Winsford Boss Keeps Momentum Going
Thu 24th February 2011 | Winsford United
By Ian Templeman
New Winsford United manager Ian Street is looking for his side to put in a strong finish as they keep pace with New Mills at the top of the Premier Division.
Ian stepped up to the manager's job when Chris Willcock left for Woodley Sports a few weeks back, and he is delighted to be back in a manager's job once again with a club pushing for promotion.
"I'd had a couple of what I would call unlucky seasons at Bamber Bridge, and at Witton Albion last season I was hoping to get the manager's job there at one point. When that didn't happen, I had decided I wasn't going to be involved in football this season, but when Chris was appointed he got on the phone and enticed me down, and I'm glad I came down.
"I always had an inkling Chris might leave at some point. Both Chris and myself are ambitious, we've both managed in the Unibond League in the past, and want to manage at the highest level we can. Chris asked me to go to Woodley with him, but when I was offered the chance to take over the manager's job at Winsford I had only one thing on my mind, and that was to get back in charge at a club again. It was a good job to carry on doing, and I had no hesitation in accepting it.
"It was a great opportunity for me, they are a good set of lads, and everything was going in the right direction. Normally you pick jobs up with struggling teams, but we are at the right end of the table, we've got 12 games left now and it's up to us to try and pick up as many points as we can.
"For the last couple of seasons Winsford have been at the wrong end of the table, and it's encouraging for the club to be at the right end of the table for a change."
Although Ian is not immediately planning on making changes to the playing squad, he did make one important signing within a couple of weeks of taking over.
"I've brought Kevin Birkenshaw on board to assist me as it's a tough job to do on your own. Kevin works at Stockport County as a scout and a coach so he knows his stuff and it's a great help to have him. The first week I was on my own and doing everything, and I knew I needed to get some help. I spent that first week making sure I had the right person on board with me and I'm sure I have. Kevin's enthusiasm is great and the lads have responded to him.
"I'm not looking to change anything on the playing side, that was one of the first things I said to the lads when I took over. I've not been on the phone checking up on new players, everyone will get the same chances as they have had all season.
"I've not treated it as the start of something new or anything like that, it was just a continuation. Chris and me were virtually working as joint managers anyway, although Chris had the final decision on things."
Looking ahead, Ian is confident his side will continue putting pressure on New Mills at the top of the table, and is drawing on his previous experience to guide his squad through the remaining weeks of the season.
"This league isn't as intense as the Evo-Stik League, although I try to get the lads thinking along those lines and put the same sort of pressures on them as they could expect if they were playing in that league. But the standard in this league is good. New Mills are a top side, and Ramsbottom, Squires Gate and Barnoldswick Town are good sides too. The games we've had against them have been good games and good contests.
"Talking to the managers at Ramsbottom last week they have the same view as me, they are loving it at the moment. The competition at the top of the table is interesting and it's just a case for us of trying to finish as high as we can.
"Looking from the outside, in the last couple of seasons I've been disappointed for Winsford with where they have been, with them having been a Northern Premier League club in the past. The ambition is there at the club, and we've not given up on top spot. After all New Mills could go on a bad run, you never know in football."
