NEW ECCLESHILL boss Sean Regan has encouraged his squad to be more open and feels they are prospering because of it.

Departed pair Mark Greaves and Hayden Lobley had been quite successful in their short stay but Regan wants his players to speak up more.

He said: “When I took over, the players seemed unable or unwilling to have their say in the dressing room and I wanted that to change.

“In my experience players are happier when they feel part of a club and when they’re happier you get more from them. I’m an approachable guy and anyone can come and make suggestions about where they feel is their best position, playing systems or training sessions. I welcome that.

“I like working at this club and I’m hoping I’m going to be here long term. It’s a club that is well run by a dedicated and hard-working committee and it has a real friendly and community-spirited atmosphere about it.

“The squad has bought into that and they all want to be here long term, apart from two players that are going abroad and we wish them good luck. The rest of the lads are excited about what we hope to achieve and we’re all looking forward together. That’s why I’m more than ready to listen to any input they want to share.”

Regan was involved with bringing many of the players to the club and has managed some of them before elsewhere, including Liversedge and Thackley. He is glad they are all staying but he is looking to add more quality to the group.

That process is already underway as Regan secured the return of former club captain Charlie Flaherty. The talented and versatile Flaherty has had six months out of the game due to family reasons but is now able to commit himself, much to delight of the Eagles boss.

Regan said: “I got Charlie back and he came on from the bench last Saturday. He’s a really good player and is working hard in training to get back to full fitness after a lay-off and he’s one that I’m glad to have got.

“He’s a local lad who knows the club inside out and that’s the kind of player we want to attract. He’s another one like Jermaine (Springer) in that the other lads look up to him and respect him. Charlie is a leader and he does that by example.”