Evo Stik Division One South
- Lee Morris was named as Goole’s new manager on Wednesday afternoon.
- He leaves his position as the assistant manager of Shaw Lane Aquaforce to take up the role.
- Kev Graham will still charge of Saturday’s trip to Chasetown, but Morris will be there watching.
New Goole AFC manager Lee Morris
Goole AFC have “17 cup finals” coming up, according to their new manager Lee Morris, the man charged with securing their Evo Stik status for another season.
Morris replaced Alan Semley on Wednesday and the now-former Shaw Lane Aquaforce assistant boss inherits a Goole side sitting third bottom, only one point separating them and the drop zone. Goole are also on a nine match winless run.
Caretaker boss Kev Graham is continuing to hold the fort this week and will take charge of training tonight (Thurs) and also the trip to Chasetown on Saturday. Morris will meet the players for the first time at Chasetown.
“Well it’s a relegation battle, but the people I have spoke to such as Kev Graham have said that they’ve not been far away all season,” Morris told Non League Yorkshire.
“What has to be said is that I think Alan Semley has done a very good job because he had only four players to start with. By all accounts they’ve competed well for the majority of the season, it’s just that they have been on a bad run recently.
“I think the key is experience as there is a lot of youth at Goole and I’m looking to bring in three or four experienced lads to get us over the line.
“I’m very confident of securing safety. A few people have messaged me to say why I had swapped a promotion battle for a relegation battle, but I wouldn’t have taken it if I didn’t think I could the job. I’ve also not one to shy away from a challenge. I can’t wait to get started.”
Despite taking his first steps as a manager, Morris remains one of the top strikers in Division One South. Morris, whose career has taken in predatory spells with Frickley Athletic, Buxton, North Ferriby and Harrogate Town, was Shaw Lane’s top ‘scorer in their title-winning campaign and whilst not playing as much, he has still scored regularly this season.
Management is now is main priority, but he will be registering himself and will be prepared to throw himself into the fray. Morris also intends to appoint an assistant in the new few days who will be key if he does play.
“I think you can be a player/manager if you have got a very good and strong assistant manager, but If I get the players in that I want then I won’t be playing regularly,” he said.
“Personally I want to concentrate on management because we have 17 cup finals to play. The lads are actually scoring goals so there is no major rush. But, if I feel I need to play, then I will.”
The move to Goole, the latest chapter of a glittering footballing career, also ensures a reunion which explains why he has chosen Goole as his first club as a number one.
“I’ve played against Goole many times and I know the chairman Steve Shorthouse from Frickley and he’s a good bloke,” he said.
“That swung it for me because I know I will get a fair crack of the whip. I just need to repay the faith shown in me.”