Former Ossett Town captain Ryan Qualter has back the appointment of John Reed and says the club had to make a quick decision
Former Ossett Town captain Ryan Qualter has backed the appointment of John Reed at Ingfield.
Reed officially took office this morning ahead of the trip to Ramsbottom United after being announced as Craig Elliott’s successor on Friday.
Qualter left for Conference North side Bradford (Park Avenue) last month and is convinced that Reed’s appointment is the right decision by the Ossett committee.
“I wish them all the best under the new manager,” he said.
“They needed to get a manager in fast because some players may go to Aquaforce with Craig or some players may go elsewhere.
“Reading about John Reed’s reputation, he’ll have a lot of players he knows. They had to get sorted quick because of the position they’re in. They’re got a great chance of the play-offs and I’m they won’t be far off.
“I think it is a good decision to appoint John Reed. I don’t know him personally, but after reading up on him I think it is.
“They’ve gone for experience and he obviously showed a lot of interest in the job.”
Qualter also believes new Shaw Lane Aquaforce manager Elliott will succeed in the Toolstation NCEL Division One promotion race.
Elliott dropped two divisions to help lead Aquaforce into the Premier Division and Qualter, who rates him very highly, said: “I think Craig will do very well.
“It is not an easy job because they’re in the top three and he’s expected to get promotion. But he loves a challenge.
“I’m sure he has a good budget and a lot of good players around him already, but I’m sure he will build on that.
“He’s one of the best managers I have worked under so I’m sure he will be fine.
“I spoke to Craig after he had got the job and I was surprised as anyone to see him leave Ossett, especially with them being a good run.
“Maybe the budget situation made Craig think he had taken them as far he could. He has done a great job though. I enjoyed my time there and it is a brilliant club to play for.”
Since moving to the Horsfall Stadium, Qualter has had a stop-start beginning to life with John Deacey’s men, but he says he is a comfortable at Conference North level.
“It has been frustrating at Park Ave recently because we have had a lot of games called off,” he added.
“It is a step-up, but I’ve enjoyed it and it is good to test yourself.
“It is a big step-up, but I don’t think it is as big as people think. The difference is that clubs are little bit more professional and training tends to be a bit more vigorous.”