Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Garforth Town manager Rob Hunter
Garforth Town have a squad of players that are passionate about the club and fiercely loyal to it
That’s the view of Rob Hunter, who had to completely rebuild the playing side at the J.S White Community Stadium in the summer after taking charge in May.
On Monday, Mitch Hamilton became the third player to publicly commit to playing for Garforth for the whole season and Hunter believes his all players are with the club for the right reasons.
“I think all the players are here for Garforth Town, they’re all here because they have seen that the club is trying to build something,” Hunter told Non League Yorkshire.
“The lads are enjoying themselves, People like (club captain) James Beaston, Jack McMurrough, Luke McCrum, Lee Turner and Mark Simpson give us a real good backbone to the club.
“I go back to four or five games when we had lost a few games in a row. We held a training session at the club and we had 17 lads there who were all desperate to do well and be in the side.
“That is fantastic for the club. The key thing for a club like Garforth Town which has been through some rocky times is to get players there for the club, not there for the money. Everybody is in it for the long haul and so am I.
“But if I decided I couldn’t carry on over the next two weeks, I would be very surprised if any of these players left the club, barring maybe one.
“I also have to praise (assistant manager) Andy Sunley and (coach) Mark Greaves for bringing in a couple of lads who have the attitude we are looking for.
“To say we are happy with the squad after just three months shows just how far we have come with a brand new team. I would like to have six or eight more points on the board and I think we are unlucky not to have those points. But overall I’m happy.”
Hunter was not disheartened either following the 3-0 defeat at Staveley Miners Welfare on Wednesday night.
The Miners made a good fist of it and the score-line flattered Staveley.
“We went to Staveley and lost 3-0 which is disappointing, but the lads played well,” Hunter added.
“There was nothing in the game, on the back of two good results and clean sheets.
“We sat in the changing rooms after the game a little bit disappointed because we don’t know how we managed to concede three goals.
“The lads are just desperate to get on the pitch again at Armthorpe on Saturday and do well. That is a great attitude to have in your changing room.”
Garforth are away at Armthorpe Welfare tomorrow.