POPULAR coach Pav Singh has left his role as Albion Sports’ joint-manager alongside Ishy Hussain to become Jonathan Rimmington’s new assistant at Liversedge.

But despite going from the top job to being a number two, Singh does not see the move as a step down.

He said: “It hasn’t even crossed my mind. Titles and positions do look good on paper but for me it's all about teamwork, environment and trust. I will lead when I need to lead and help the management team to the best of my ability.

“I look forward to supporting Rimmo. He is such a great character and I have known him a long time from crossing paths when I coached at Leeds United's academy 12 years ago.

“He’s always kept in touch and he believes in what I can bring to the party and where I can grow and be the best version of myself.

“(First team coach and head of youth development at Sedge) Des Hazel was a great role model for me when he played at Guiseley too.

“I had spells at Farsley Celtic, Harrogate Town and Thackley and tried kicking him a few times when I could but he was a different class.

“I am grateful for the opportunity and very fortunate to be around good people.”

He was full of praise for former club Albion, saying: “Ishy and Danny Brown (who was player welfare & recruitment officer but will now be joint-manager alongside Hussain) were superb with me in this whole process.

“I believe I have played a key role in developing them and getting the team in a good position based on where they have been (they were second-bottom last season but are now in mid-table with the Northern Counties East League Premier Division season currently suspended).

“The foundation is set, and I am sure they will do well with support from the chairman, Channy Basi, who believes in them and has been so key to the positive turnaround of Albion.”

Delving deeper into the change in Albion’s fortunes this season, Singh mused: “We’ve developed a management team that has a modern-day approach but also values the experiences of the past.

“The environment was the best it has been for years. Networking and knowing your player eco-system is key.

“Myself, Ishy and Danny worked well together and got the recruitment spot on based on the club’s budget.

“We got the right blend in experience and youth, and senior players became great mentors to the younger ones. We were also fortunate to have excellent keepers like Declan Lambton and now George Clarke.

“All these players bought into the style of play, tactics and strategy. Their work rate, resilience and attitude was outstanding and that’s what creates a great environment.”

As for what he thinks Sedge can achieve, Singh said: “It’s the individuals within the club that drive that ambition and that brings everyone together, including the fans and the community, to share that goal.

“I certainly believe this club has the right business and game model, alongside a great stadium and training facility that is being built to succeed, that’s why I came here.

“I am an ambitious individual and credit to the club for driving this forward.

“Everyone at Sedge has real desire and intent to get the football club to where it needs to be and that is high up the pyramid system, just like one of my former clubs, Harrogate.

“Creating and sustaining a great culture that brings the best out of everyone involved at the club, and having the clear vision and strategy with consistent behaviours to make people better at what they do, is key for me.

“It’s imperative that you can check and challenge within your environment by using the appropriate knowledge and lived experiences people have.

“Making the best decisions for the team to achieve outcomes and a “winning mentality” must be in the DNA of the club.

“I look forward to working at the club as head of coaching and assistant manager.”

But Singh has another important role in football too, and he said: “It’s great to be back in this region as I have been working away for five years as a coach developer.

“But I secured a new role with the new FA restructure as regional coach developer for the North East and Yorkshire.

“I am so privileged to work for the FA, and it’s great to be home with my wife and kids.

“I spent a lot time on the road before, staying in hotels, and at times I would be away for two weeks.”

Expanding on his new role further, Singh explained: “The job involves developing a talent pipeline of coaches/managers through development and mentoring.

“I support coaches up to UEFA A licence and spend a lot of my time with intentional coaches (who aspire to work full-time in the game) that want to work at academies or be the best they can be at their clubs, either at grassroots or a professional level.

“This is usually done through club support visits and through webinars. Especially with the pandemic, we have become digital first.

“I will have a team of FA mentors soon who will support the coaching workforce out there.”

Singh is not the only impressive new recruit at Sedge either, with Mark Duffy joining as Under-23s manager.

Duffy is a UEFA B Licensed Coach and worked for Bolton Wanderers in their academy for 10 years. He then went on to become a scout for their first-team.

As well as Bolton, Duffy worked for Shaw Lane when they were in the Northern Premier League and Bradford (Park Avenue) in the National League North as a scout.

He was also the community sports coach while working at Avenue.