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Ossett Town: Gilchrist back at the Sharpe end
IN CHARGE: Eric Gilchrist.
Phil Sharpe’s shock resignation took everyone by surprise, even Ossett Town caretaker boss Eric Gilchrist.
Sharpe stepped down from the job he had held for 18 months last week, with his assistant Gilchrist handed the reins until the end of the season.
Gilchrist is well equipped having managed local rivals Ossett Albion for 10 years – a role he left last year. He hopes his time at the helm begins tomorrow at Curzon Ashton but, with the forecast looking bleak, he is likely to have to wait until Tuesday night when Town entertain Farsley AFC in Evo-Stik League First Division North.
The new boss has already made his mark by signing former Bradford Park Avenue midfielder Tom Claisse and confirmed his desire to continue in the job beyond the end of the season.
“It (Phil’s resignation) was unexpected, a total bolt out of the blue,” said Gilchrist. “I got a phone call while I was taking training from the chairman to say they had parted company with Phil.
“After training I went to a meeting at the club where I was asked if I would take over. It is initially until the end of the season and then we’ll see if the club wants to continue with me and whether I want to do so.
“I am interested in getting the job permanently. But if the club decides they want someone different then I’ll step aside.”
Gilchrist has appointed senior players Mark Ryan and Mark Haran as his assistants as he looks to guide Ossett up the table from their lowly 14th place. Town are nine points away from nearest club Salford, but do have four games in hand.
However, Gilchrist, who admitted he was not sure whether he should accept the offer of leading Town, is concerned by the number of matches they still have to play.
“I was umming and ahhing at first but the one pull was the players I brought to the club because I felt a bit of loyalty to them,” he said. “I took a step back last summer because I was a bit down after the last two seasons at Ossett Albion, but as the season has progressed, I have got my enthusiasm back.
“I want us to improve on where we are and hopefully get over the difficulty of not having a reserve team and having to play all these games over a short period.”
Meanwhile, Wakefield FC manager Paul Lines is disappointed his side is unlikely to be able to build on the 3-3 draw with Clitheroe tomorrow. Lines fears the elements are likely to intervene ahead of their home clash with Garforth Town at Ingfield, which will take their total of cancellations to four after Wednesday night’s clash with Warrington Town was beaten by the weather.
Lines is delighted with the vast improvement that has been made since he took over in December when Wakefield decided to revert to amateur status.
“It is a shame because we were getting some momentum up,” he said. “It is the same for everyone, but it would have been nice to play Prescot last week and then Warrington on Wednesday. We’ve gone from losing 1-0 to drawing 3-3 and it was a very encouraging performance. We’ve got Radcliffe and Prescot coming up and these are very winnable games.”
Elsewhere, struggling Harrogate Railway welcome play-off chasing Farsley AFC and Ossett Albion host Prescot Cables.
Goole entertain Newcastle Town in First Division South while, in the top-flight, Bradford Park Avenue visit Northwich Victoria, who currently play at Nantwich Town, Frickley are at Rushall Olympic and Whitby travel to Matlock Town.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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