Evo Stik Division One North
Ossett Town manager Grant Black celebrates during his first game in charge 12 months ago. Picture: Mark Gledhill
Grant Black is celebrating the first anniversary of his appointment as Ossett Town manager today.
The highly-rated young boss has a lot to celebrate too as he has masterminded a stunning upturn in fortunes for the club.
When the former Buxton left-back was unveiled as Ossett’s third manager of the 2015/16 season, the Reds were in free-fall on the back of nine consecutive defeats and without a league victory in five months.
They were also staring down the barrel of relegation back to the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division.
In the twelve months since, Black has overseen 45 Evo-Stik league games picking up 81 points and celebrating 25 victories – a remarkable record for someone in his first managerial post.
In that time he has shored up the defence and seen his side keep 15 clean-sheets with 12 of those coming this season with Leigh Overton between the sticks.
It is a record any manager and club would be proud of and sees Ossett challenging at the top end of the league for the first time in years.
There have been notable achievements too with Ossett beating Goole in the league for the first time. To a first home victory over Burscough and a last minute Alex Peterson goal saw Ossett defeat fellow promotion hopefuls Farsley Celtic for the first time in 17 attempts, the last victory coming as far back as 2003.
Black has attracted signings that have surprised many, including Alex Peterson, Danny Frost, Jason Yates and Leigh Overton, as well as the recent capture of Marcus Day from Harrogate Town. as well as some stunning victories, most recently at Clitheroe who had been on a 15 match unbeaten run.
Every side they have face this season who are in a play-off place have been put to the sword and soundly beaten.
It all bodes well as Ossett chase a play-offs beth, something which would been treated as fantasy 12 month ago.