Toolstation NCEL Division One
Worsbrough Bridge are yet to hear if they are to receive a reprieve from relegation because of Hull United’s demotion, interim boss Ian Shirt has said.
Hull’s impending departure for failing to find a suitable ground by the March 31st deadline was confirmed by the league on Thursday morning.
Worsbrough, who are now bottom after Lincoln Moorlands Railway folded, are expected to be given a second chance, but Shirt confirmed that his club are still waiting for confirmation.
“We believe Worsbrough is on the turn and I’m 110% sure that if Worsbrough are in this league next year, we will be a different prospect,” Shirt said.
“I don’t know how we stand though with a reprieve. I know Hull are getting relegated, but will they appeal? If they are going down, that surely makes us safe which I hope it does because it gives us who are in charge now a chance to show what we can do.
“We haven’t heard from the league, but I’m hopeful of reprieve. The whole point of me, Peter Schofield, Keith Goff, Timmy Malkin and people like that getting involved was to try and keep Worsbrough Bridge in the NCEL and playing at Park Road.”
Shirt is 24 hours away from his final match in charge as the interim boss. He is taking a side to Shirebrook Town to finally end a nightmare season for Worsbrough.
Worsbrough’s bad luck continued at Knaresborough Town last night. Bridge were only able to get ten over to North Yorkshire, but still managed to lead for over an hour due to Brad Kerr’s goal. However, Knaresborough snatched the points with two last minute goals.
“I’m gutted for the lads because we had ten and they put their heart and soul into it,” Shirt added.
“Football is cruel and we know it is, but I wish they could have held on for their own pride.
“I can’t be prouder of them. I’ve been organising for this game for over a week and believe it or not I had 26 names for this game on Monday.
“A lot of the lads that have come to help out play on Sundays and have knocks or played for their Sunday side yesterday. Some have had to work so we have dwindled and dwindled.
“This morning I must have had eight or nine texts saying ‘we can’t make it’. Someone who was coming, his exhaust dropped off, but that kind of luck has been the story of our season.”
Shirt also confirmed that he is yet to decide whether he will be applying for the permanent manager’s position when it is advertised.
He did add that two potential candidates have already expressed an interest in the job. One is a former professional footballer.