Hoping for a bright future: Yorkshire Amateur manager Phil Harding
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Yorkshire Amateur joint boss Phil Harding has thrown the gauntlet down to his players to back up the hard work going on behind the scenes.
Harding and his joint manager Lincoln Richards are spearheading a resurgence of the Ammers, who have been down in the dumps for a number of years in the Toolstation NCEL Division One.
Harding has spent the summer ensuring that their Bracken Edge ground was tidied up and decorated and he is confident that his new-look team can have a good season.
“We have a really good squad and if we stick together we will do well, but we have to stick together,” he told Non League Yorkshire.
“Our away form made it go wrong last season because nobody wanted to travel away.
“I’ve got rid of all of them and that sort of thing.
“We made a good start. Bottesford beat us 7-1 on aggregate last season so we have come a long way.
“It was 0-0 and deservedly so.
“Off-the-pitch it has been brilliant, but, its about coming onto the pitch now.
“Top ten would be nice, but, it is hard.
“We saw against Clipstone. We went 1-0 up and were comfortable, but, two set-pieces cost us.
“In this league, if you switch off for one second you get punished and that’s what happened to us.”
The Ammers are at home to Rossington Main tomorrow after a draw and a defeat in their opening two fixtures.
Over the summer he has brought up to eight players to the club including Jamie Hainsworth (Selby Town), new captain Daniel Freeman (Leeds City) and Tom Marsden (Wakefield FC).
He has also recruited a new coach in former Brighouse Town reserve manager Rick Addy – who he is full of praise for.
“I’ve got a brilliant coach in Richard Addy,” Harding added.
“He’s a great guy. A great guy who is full of energy and gives 100% and that’s what I need.
“I love working with him. I needed someone like me and Lincoln who is dedicated and wants to give 100% for the club.
“The players have been brilliant with him and they love him.
“He’s a top coach.”