New Garforth Town manager Adrian Costello (centre) wants former Leeds midfielder Mark Ford to be his assistant manager. Picture: Chris Mather
Adrian Costello is desperately trying to persuade former Leeds United midfielder Mark Ford to become his assistant at Garforth Town.
Ford has been stood in the dugout with Costello for the last two matches, but has yet to commit to being Costello’s number.
His work as a train driver with Northern Rail is the sticking point for Ford, who Costello believes will be a huge asset for Garforth.
Costello told Non League Yorkshire: “Me and Mark coach together at York and he’s a fantastic lad and coach.
“He has fantastic man-management skills and no-one is more passionate about football than Mark Ford.
“I’ve asked him on numerous occasions to be my assistant.
“He will help when he can, but it is his work commitments that are the problem because he’s a train driver and that will prevent him from doing every Saturday.
“He has been reluctant to coach at a semi-professional club because of his work commitments, but he just needs to someone to badger him – which is me.
“Whatever Mark can offer I will take because he is absolutely superb.”
Ford is someone who will be familiar to hardcore Leeds supporters. He played 29 times for the Whites after breaking through the ranks.
He was a member of the youth team that famously beat Manchester United’s Class of ’92 in the 1993 FA Youth Cup.
After leaving Leeds in 1997, he played for Burnley, Torquay, Darlington along with a spell with Lommel in Belgium.
Costello added: “He played Premier League football for Leeds so most people in this area will know the name ‘Mark Ford’.
“I want him involved because his knowledge of the professional game is fantastic and you only have to look at the coaches he has played under.
“He’s also played with some quality players at Leeds such as Harry Kewell. He’ll certainly be a good addition to this football club.”