Former Leeds United chairman Bill Fotherby is the new director of football at Ossett Town
By his own admission Bill Fotherby “makes things happen” and his track record proves he does just that.
The man who played a key role in returning Leeds United to the old First Division in the late 1980s and then turned Harrogate Town from nobodies to one of the top Non-League clubs in West Yorkshire is back.
He’s been looking for a way back since leaving Harrogate in 2011 and his expertise could take Ossett to the next level in his new position as director of football.
His ability to attract sponsors is up there with the best and the story about Gordon Strachan trying to negotiate a new contract at Leeds demonstrates his skills in the boardroom. Strachan failed in his bid and walked out of the meeting owing money for season tickets.
Fotherby makes people welcome and with his endless contacts, Ossett’s commercial revenue could go through the roof if they get it right. The new director of football will also be very helpful to manager John Reed when they are persuading players to join Ossett for next season.
Ossett’s committee is young but it is making great strides under chairman James Rogers and Fotherby’s experience and knowledge can inspire the club to greater things.
He gets things done and at Ingfield next season “things” will happen.
Wakefield’s forced exit from the Evo Stik Division One North and Ossett Albion’s potential relegation only reinforces the East-West Leagues argument.
Depending on who is relegated and promoted, Yorkshire could have just three Yorkshire clubs in the North Division which means distance travelling for nearly all away games for the Yorkshire sides.
This is while Scarborough and Goole are tucked away in the South Division.
East-West for 2014-2015 looked to be happening back in August when the NPL asked for feedback from the clubs. The idea seems to have then been quietly dropped since.
At a recent NPL chairman’s meeting at Fleet Lane, West Riding County FA headquarters, the East-West plan was not even mentioned.