New Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Simon Houghton
New Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Simon Houghton has warned that there won’t be quick fix to their recent slide in results.
Houghton and Craig Wilkinson, appointed to universal approval earlier this week, are gearing up for their first Toolstation NCEL Division One game at the helm tomorrow.
Yorkshire Amateur provide the opening test as the pair look to end Glasshoughton’s run of four straight defeats – a spell that has sunk them to just two points above the relegation zone.
The duo have already made their mark by signing Gaz Hunter and Connor Rollinson from fellow strugglers Worsbrough Bridge. Former Athersley and Worsbrough attacker Matty Roberts has also signed.
Glasshoughton have been boosted by the news that star striker Del Pollock is staying with the club after deciding against moving to Liversedge.
“We have seen some very good players so consistency is the only thing I can my finger as to a reason for results,” Houghton told Non League Yorkshire.
“Mick (Norbury) has done very well to get these players so it has made our job a little easier.
“We do need points quickly, but you have to be realistic as we have had no pre-season.
“We’ve just had one hour to look at 24 players and make assessments (at training on Thursday night).
“We’re working hard and using our contacts as we are looking to bring one or two players in. We have a couple of seven days’ notices in.
“We will get there, but we have a tough month ahead. We have Yorkshire Amateur who are a dangerous side tomorrow and then we go Hallam next week which is never easy.
“We then have Hemsworth on Boxing Day.
“Come January I think you will see the real Glasshoughton. It will take time because we have to get used to the players and they have to get used to us.
“All I can ask for from the players is patience.”
The visit of Yorkshire Amateur is Houghton’s first return to the Glasshoughton dugout since helping Craig Elliott steer the club to promotion in 2012.
The former Pontefract Collieries chief then moved onto a coaching role with Athersley before being the first manager of Shaw Lane Aquaforce in the NCEL.
After leaving Aquaforce in February 2014, he stayed off the semi-professional circuit until making a surprise return to Pontefract as Nick Handley’s assistant just a month ago.
That arrangement ended when Handley was sacked a week later, but it did give Houghton his taste for football back.
Houghton added: “It has been a mad few days with trying to get players signed on. The phone keeps ringing so I have had to charge it up three times a day.
“We trained last night and it was a fantastic session as the lads looked really sharp.
“It is clear we have some quality lads among us.”