Town secretary Malcolm Taylor is hoping new boss Mick Couzens’ wealth of contacts can bolster the first-team squad and help the club continue their upward curve.

Taylor was full of praise for previous manager Mark Brier, who oversaw three seasons of improvement including a promotion, since Brighouse joined the non-league ladder.

But he admitted that at times the club had suffered from a lack of strength in depth.

After a bright start to last year in the top tier of the Kool Sport NCEL Premier Division, things tailed off badly but that was due to a host of reasons.

They suffered from a suspected arson attack on their stadium, the bad winter took its toll and so did the departure of players wooed by Evo-Stik League clubs.

Taylor said: “Mark did a great job for us but we could be fortunate in that Mick could do even better.

“Mark brought together a magnificent squad but we didn’t really have enough strength in depth.

“Our reserves play in the West Riding County Amateur Premier Division, which is a good standard, but not as hard as the division our first team is in.

“You have got to be able to say you want a like-for-like replacement in every position to cover for injuries and suspensions and we didn’t have that.

“There were a lot of young lads in our second team and, while they are talented and promising, they didn’t have the experience to be able to step into the side for NCEL Premier Division games.

“We are hoping Mick, with all his local contacts, will be able to draft in a lot of players.

“Mark was wonderful and great for this club but I think Mick will also do very well. He has a good reputation for his knowledge and for playing good football.

“It might take a little time to gel but we are sure it will all come together.”