10:02am Friday 10th July 2009
By Ian Whiting
Eccleshill United's new boss Steve Watson is hoping the Eagles’ slump has bottomed out with last season’s relegation and he stressed this week that everyone at the club is looking one way only.
“I believe that sometimes you have to take a step back, and we have done that as a club so let us look ahead now,” said Watson as he relishes his second stint in the hot seat at Plumpton Park.
“The players are in full training, the league fixtures are out for the new season and our reserves are ready to step up into the Lancashire League.
"Our under-19s did very well last season and now the reserves are joining a big league that will ensure they are getting good games.
“The people behind the scenes are working really hard and improving every aspect of the club, so we are laying foundations for a new era for Eccleshill. We are really trying to push forward.”
The Eagles have low-key friendly fixtures against Crag Road United, Tyersal and Guiseley Reserves before the pre-season really bursts into life with home games against Thackley, Silsden and Boroughbridge in the space of a week.
Watson added: “There will definitely be changes to the playing staff but not wholesale - some of the lads from last year will form the basis of our new squad.
"Last year proved we have a lot of good youngsters at this club but there will be new faces.
"There will be some chopping and changing in the friendly games, a few people on trial and others having a look if they fancy us.
"But I hope we will have a very good idea about our first-team squad by the time we face Thackley on July 25 in our first warm-up game at home.”
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