Toolstation NCEL Division One
Jack Greenhough is one of Pontefract’s young stars
Craig Parry believes promotion-chasing Pontefract Collieries have underlined their commitment to young and local talent this season.
The Colls boss highlights young local lad Jack Greenhough as the stand-out example. Twenty-year-old Greenhough has consistently held a starting berth at right-back from the start of the season.
“I think the under 19s and under 21s are run brilliantly and I’m constantly communicating with them,” Parry told Non League Yorkshire.
“I’m going to games regularly, looking at the lads. We have a good crop of young kids coming through.
“It is about nurturing them and bringing them through at the right time. A prime example is Jack Greenhough. He came in at the beginning of the season to play with the under 21s and straightaway we spotted him and engaged him with the first team.
“He’s become a regular and there is three or four that are on the conveyor belt. They’ll be used. We’re not afraid to use them.”
This month also marks the first anniversary of Parry taking the Colls’ manager’s position on a permanent basis.
“I’ve learnt so much in the last year and I see that as a good thing,” Parry said when asked about the last 12 months.
“I hope the foundations we have put in and the brand of football that is being played has justified myself, Craig Rouse and Luke Jeffs still being in charge here.
“Relegation was a harsh lesson, but to be sat third in the table, it is a great response. We’ve had a good start.
“We have worked hard. It is a brand new set of lads and we look forward to driving it on in the second half of the season.”
Pontefract host Selby Town tomorrow.