The Three Musketeers: physio Shaun Handisides, manager Chris Hilton and assistant Mark ‘Willy’ Wilson
Words and pictures by James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson, @NonLeagueNorth)
You can ‘like’ our Facebook page HERE
On a relatively warm Thursday evening, Stocksbridge Park Steels are enjoying their third pre-season training session at the refurbished pitches at Bracken Moor.
Their manager Chris Hilton is already installing his beliefs onto his charges. Hilton, an advocate of passing football, is utilising the pitches to full advantage.
“They’re the best facilities in South Yorkshire by far,” he says in a moment away from marshalling the session.
“Why would you not want to come here and train? You have everything here – great surface, great equipment so the club is set up to go into the league higher.”
The Evo Stik Division One South club were relegated from the Premier Division last season, are reaping the rewards of a substantial grant from the Premier League and Football Facilities Fund.
The cash has enabled the club’s training pitches’ car park to be tarmacked, steel fencing to be erected and renovation work be done to the pitches.
The fence now stops dog walkers from entering the perimeter and ensures the pitches remain in pristine condition so players from Steels’ senior and junior teams can train without fear of distractions.
Hair today, gone tomorrow: Stocksbridge Park Steels assistant manager Mark Wilson has a point to prove, according to Chris Hilton
Former Frickley Athletic player Hilton was given the role with his assistant the Non League legend Mark ‘Willy’ Wilson at the end of May.
The pair are hoping to rebuild the club’s fortunes and Hilton believes the pitches go a long way towards helping them do that.
“If you’re a player who wants to play attractive football and wants to develop, these facilities are what you need,” Hilton adds.
“It’s perfect. Instead of going elsewhere trying to hire somewhere, we have got this across the road.
“We can train on this pitch and teach the lads the style of football we want to play.”
Hilton leads one group, while former Ossett Town defender Ryan Laight leads the other which includes Wilson. The long hair that made him so recognisable is completely gone, but at 43, he still shows the younger players how to play.
Even during the drills, the players have a clear togetherness and that will bode well for the season. Hilton created a similar atmosphere at Worsbrough Bridge over his four years in charge there.
Stocksbridge Park Steels players train on pitches funded by the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund
As a player, Hilton spent 11 seasons with Frickley Athletic and even enjoyed a testimonial year at Westfield Lane.
He entered management with Worsbrough four years ago and led them from the bottom of the NCEL Division One into the top five over the course of those years before stepping down in May.
The step-up does not even faze him.
“I wouldn’t say it is a step-up because you’re still dealing with the same players and we’re going to play in the same way I have always set my teams up,” he said.
“I’ve played in this league all my life and in the league above. That side does not faze me.
“The aim (of rebuilding the team) is still the same it is not going to be an easy task
“We have seven or eight players from last season and the rest have gone already for various reasons.
“It is a matter of us rebuilding. We want to get a core of experience, but we want a mix of youth.
“We’re not going to worry about anyone else. We’re just going to do our own job.”
Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton addresses his players
The 90 minute session ends with physio Shaun Handisides leading some body exercises while Hilton watches on.
His appointment may have been a surprise to some, but what about ‘Willy’?
A man who is arguably in the greatest players list at places at Emley and other clubs, sometimes let his infectious enthusiasm get the better of him during a glorious playing career that spanned 900 matches.
His penchant for items such as inflatable hammers from his local joke shop in Barnsley on team coaches did not always gain him the full backing of his managers so some people may have not seen him as managerial material.
“I’ve brought Willy to the club because I’ve known him for years,” Hilton says.
“I’ve played against him and played in the same team with him. I know what he’s about.
“He’s got motivation skills as well as a will to win. Play against him at five-a-side, he wants to win and do things right.
“That’s why he is here. He is experienced, he’s played 900 games and he has contacts within the game and I know he has a point to prove.
“He has a point to prove to people that he wants to be known as a coach, stroke assistant or manager. That’s what he wants to do now and make people take him seriously.
“Let’s be right, Willy’s playing career has been colourful. He’s going to have a laugh around the dressing room, but he wants to show that he can knuckle down and improve players.”
The session ends with Hilton reminding his players of the time of the next one and as chairman Allen Bethel locks the gate to the pitches, players pat each other on the back for another excellent work-out.
The facilities are there and in a month’s time, it will be up to Hilton, Wilson and the Steels players to put all their hard work up to good use – which I’m sure they will.