TOP football manager Ron Atkinson has finally decided his next job after leaving Sheffield Wednesday - he'll be coaching a ladies' team in Silsden.

The amateur team, made up of soccer-mad women from Skipton and Silsden, will take to the pitch for a training session with "Big Ron" this Sunday after winning a national competition.

They were nominated by Cowling car dealer Walter C Brigg in Vauxhall's Win a Manager for a Day contest, which was run in the Craven Herald.

It set out to find a football team in Britain most deserving of a quality manager.

Ron Atkinson's career has included spells at Manchester United, Coventry and Aston Villa, as well as manager of Sheffield Wednesday, a post which he controversially quit earlier this month.

He is also a famous face on our television screens as a pundit and commentator on televised matches.

The man behind the Skipton and Silsden team is Roger Ingham.

He was approached by Silsden's Sara Raine to put together another team who could play a group of women in the town in friendly matches.

And next season they hope to compete in the Yorkshire and Humberside League.

"Love him or whatever, he's been around as a manager for many years and he can only do some good," said Roger.

"The irony of it is that our team is the only one he's managing at the moment."

Roger added that any genuine football fanatics were welcome to come and watch the training sessions at Silsden football ground in the hope of picking up tips.

Richard Brigg, Walter C Brigg's sales manager, told the Herald the family firm was delighted with the news that a local team had won the contest.

"We're very pleased to be associated with and supporting local football," he said. "People's awareness of football is increasing with the World Cup nearly upon us, and it's great to see a ladies' team gain some recognition."

Mr Atkinson will be visiting the Cowling Vauxhall dealership before beginning the training session on Sunday afternoon.

Skipton and Silsden Ladies were chosen following their recent success in competitive friendlies.

The help of a top manager will be crucial in their preparations for an important "joint-forces" league entry next season, where they will face stiff competition from other local teams.

This is the second piece of good fortune for the team in the last few months, as star player and hospital worker Louise Hall scooped £1.2 million on the National Lottery.

The Win a Manager contest came about due to Vauxhall motors official sponsorship of this year's World Cup.

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