New Shaw Lane Aquaforce boss Craig Elliott (right) says he felt that he had taken Ossett Town as far as he could.
The ambition of Shaw Lane Aquaforce was the key reason behind Craig Elliott’s decision to drop two divisions to take charge at the Toolstation NCEL Division One promotion hopefuls, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Elliott along with assistant Darren Smith and fitness coach Gary Devenport quit Evo Stik Division One North side Ossett Town after accepting the Aquaforce job this morning.
The former Glasshoughton Welfare manager replaces his old assistant Simon Houghton who was sacked last week with the club lying third in the table and one point off the second promotion spot.
Elliott now has 13 games to guide Aquaforce into the Premier Division – a feat he achieved with Glasshoughton in April 2012.
Lane are believed to be one of the wealthiest clubs in the NCEL and have ambitions of moving up the Non-League pyramid and Elliott told Sports Performer: “It is the long term project that excites me.
“I just felt it was the right thing to do. There’s pressure, but I put that pressure upon myself.
“I’m very confident we can get promoted, but I’m under no illusions that it will be difficult.
“We have to work hard and give it our best shot.
“It is inevitable that I will slight changes, but I’m taking each game as it comes because there is not much time left.
“We have got to hit the ground running. There’s pressure on us all and we will see what happens in the next 13 games.”
Elliott leaves eighth-placed Ossett ahead of their league game with New Mills tomorrow night. His last game at the helm was the 2-0 win at Curzon Ashton at the beginining of the month.
The Ingfield outfit have made great strides under Elliott after a few yearsof struggle until his appointment in May 2012.
But, Elliott believed his job was done with Ossett.
“I felt I had taken Ossett as far as I could,” he said.
“I was disappointed with the budget cut and losing some of our best players because I felt we had a good team.
“But, we had a good FA Cup run and an FA Trophy run last season and I didn’t feel there was anywhere else I could take them with the resources.
“I do feel that I have made it a better job than it was when I took over. Ossett were at the bottom half of the division and now it is fighting for the play-offs so they should get some decent applicants.
“I’m sad to leave, it was not an easy decision. I want to add that there are some great people behind the scenes and I leave on good terms.
“I wish them all the best.”
Elliott’s first game in charge of Aquaforce is likely to be on Saturday when his new side travel to Louth Town.
They are due to host Grimsby Borough tomorrow, but a pitch inspection has been called for 10am.