11:20am Monday 29th June 2009
By Ian Whiting
The return of Steve Watson as Eccleshill United manager has got the club buzzing.
Watson is back for a second spell in charge at Plumpton Park after Ray Price stepped down following the club’s relegation to Northern Counties East League Division One.
The Eagles players reported for the start of pre-season training at the weekend and, with several warm-up games now confirmed, everything is geared up for a hopeful tilt at promotion.
United secretary Mark Holstead said: “Steve is up for it and his love for the club and desire to do well is so clear that we are all just waiting for the season to start.”
Eccleshill were reluctant to put any friendlies in place until they had appointed a new manager but now have several in the bag.
“I think we are quite lucky to get the pre-season games we have already because it was very short notice,” said Holstead.
“We only started putting feelers out once we had decided to go with Steve as our new manager.
“We asked our good friends at Thackley to help us out and Silsden and they have both managed to fit us in.
“We also have a game against Boroughbridge and Brighouse Town’s reserves, which will help us both out.
“Brighouse have applied, as we have, for the Lancashire League, so our second teams could be rivals.
“It will be July 18 before our pitch is ready to go and the lads are hoping for a good run-out as soon as possible.”
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