New Garforth Town manager Adrian Costello (centre) with chairman Brian Close (left) and director Craig Bannister (right). Picture: Chris Mather
Chairman Brian Close immediately “warmed” to new Garforth Town manager Adrian Costello and he’s glad to see the club’s supporters have too.
Costello is into his second full week in charge of Garforth and has so far taken charge of two matches, winning one and losing the other.
The new A-Licensed coach who works full-time at York City’s academy, has steadied the ship since replacing Graham Nicholas, but at time of his appointment he was a surprise choice.
However, Garforth were impressed by his CV, ideas and personality and he won the job after a successful three-hour interview at the J.S. White & Co Community Stadium.
“Several people had rung me to recommend him so his name had come up two or three times,” said Mr Close, who along with co-owner Craig Bannister felt that Costello was the right man for the job.
“That intrigues you so you want to see the person and he came across really well. His enthusiasm is unbelievable.
“I spoke to him on the phone twice beforehand and he came across well then because he seemed to have the contacts.
“We needed players and that wasn’t a problem. That was one of the main topics of discussion because it was an urgent issue at the time.
“We talked about working under the constraints we have and the budget we have and he was happy to do so.
“We were also impressed by his beliefs on how the game should be played.
“We just felt he had the right ideas for taking the club forward.
“There’s no expectations at the moment, but long-term we think he will be good for the club.
“I think everyone has already warmed to him and he’s certainly buying into our ideals.”
Although 25 people sent applications in, only three actually reached of the confines of Garforth’s meeting room in person – Costello being the third.
One candidate, interviewed 24 hours after Nicholas’ departure, was a ‘caretaker’ option for a few games.
That person taking charge was a very real possibility as a Toolstation NCEL Premier Division game against Parkgate was looming – a match that was later postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
Six players had left and gone with Nicholas to Ossett so someone was needed very quickly to make sure the fixture was fulfilled.
On the following Monday two former professional footballers met Mr Close and Mr Bannister with a view to being installed as a pair.
Costello met with the owners the next day and the rest is history.
With 26 points on the board, the Miners could have waited a further week or so before deciding who would lead the club on a permanent basis.
The short-term option was an easy move and would have bought more time to deliberate over choosing someone for the long-term.
Looking back over the decision-making process, Mr Close said: “As soon as the announcement was made, the phone did not stop ringing.
“People were offering us short-term options, but you have to start thinking long-term as well.
“We sat down and discussed what we wanted from our next manager along with the options of short-term or long-term fixes.
“We didn’t want to panic because we knew we had a short-term fix because someone came in and saw us on the Thursday night.
“He would have done it on a game by game basis and brought players with him so we could have taken a bit more time.
“We didn’t want to draw it out though and we felt Adie came across fantastically when we interviewed him. He ticked all the boxes and it seemed the right way to go.”
Garforth are due to visit Athersley Rec on Wednesday night.