Team spirit has helped keep Ossett up

Evo Stik Division One North

Team spirit has played a major part in the successful rescue mission at Ossett Town, according to Grant Black.

Ossett had lost nine league games on the spin and were hurtling out of the Evo Stik. Black came in and made an immediate impact by winning his first match at Burscough. Since then Ossett have collected 18 points out of a possible 36.

Black believes a good team spirit was established in his first week in the job.

“We had a training session on the Thursday after the lads played Darlington on the Tuesday, an hour’s fun session and then asked everyone to go in for a drink after,” Black told Non League Yorkshire.

“I had heard there was an atmosphere around and we just wanted to knock that on the head straightaway and we did.

“We brought certain players in that we thought would help us in the dressing room and the togetherness since we have come in as been unbelievable. It has been a massive part us of staying up.

“In the middle of February, being near the bottom, it was going to be a tough shout. We had confidence in what we could do, but I did think it may possibly go into the last week.

“Since we have come in, the lads have been absolutely unbelievable. They have done everything that has been asked of them and beyond. I’m over the moon.”

The 2-0 victory over New Mills secured survival for Ossett and Black, whose own managerial career only began in February.

Black was a highly-regarded player at Buxton for many years in a successful team and he regards keeping Ossett up as one of his biggest achievements.

He added: “It is an unbelievable feeling (to have secured survival).

“I’ve played football for a long time and being involved in promotion pushes and relegation battles as a player, but this ranks up there as one of the highlights of my Non League footballing career.”

Listen to the full interview with Grant Black above.