Evo Stik Division One South
Frickley Athletic captain Gavin Allott
New captain Gavin Allott is very impressed with Spencer Fearn’s vision for Frickley Athletic and reckons the club will prosper under the former Maltby Main chief’s guidance.
Allott was the first statement of intent signing by Fearn earlier in the summer.
The top Evo Stik striker ended his two-year stint with Shaw Lane AFC to return to Frickley and he is confident of a bright future at Westfield Lane.
“I thought I would always come back so when Spencer contacted me, it was an easy call,” Allott told Non League Yorkshire.
“Spencer has a good project in place. He’s got great knowledge and he has a great coach behind him in Andy McKnight.
“I think a lot of players are attracted to the way he’s going to run the club and what he wants to achieve. I think that’s why so many big names have signed.
“From my own point of view, it is exciting to be back. It is more of Frickley on the up, rather than Frickley on the survive.
“I think people should keep their eye on Frickley in the next couple of years.
“It was a relegation battle every year in the three years I was here before, but this time it feels different and we’re looking to push on.
“There’s no reason why we can’t with the squad Spencer has put together.
“Relegation could be a good thing for Frickley because it could give the club a fresh start.”
Gavin Allott is impressed with new Frickley manager Spencer Fearn’s vision
The only way is up for Frickley, according to Gavin Allott
Gavin Allott dives for a header during Frickley’s first pre-season session
Gavin Allott is all smiles during Frickley’s first pre-season training session
Gavin Allott, pictured in his first spell, will be back playing in a Frickley shirt next season
Gavin Allott (right) was immense for Shaw Lane for two years
Allott called time on his unforgettable stay with Division One South champions Shaw Lane to return to Frickley, the club he spent three years with prior to the move to Barnsley.
He won back-to-back Evo Stik D1S player of the year awards, the D1S title and the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup in two glorious years.
Allott admits it was a tough call to leave the Ducks, not just because of the success, but also because of how tight-knit the team was because of the death of Dan Wilkinson last year.
“We had two good seasons, not just personally, but as a team as well,” he said.
“In the first year I didn’t hit my target in terms of personally, but I did well in other aspects.
“Last season is certainly up there with the best seasons I’ve had. One because of the personal awards and two because we got promoted.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to leave Shaw Lane. We had stuck together as a team and there wasn’t too many changes. We were also joined together because of what happened to Dan Wilkinson.
“It was horrible what happened to Dan. It is something we’ll never forget.
“Dan was a big character in the changing room and he was a really nice guy.
“I’ve still got the t-shirt that we all wore at the last game of the season and I’ll keep that.
“I’d also like to get involved in fundraising events related to Dan. If it is a charity game, I’d go and show my face or put my boots on.”
The former Goole AFC striker also praised his old manager Craig Elliott.
“I was under Craig for two seasons and like all players do, we had our ups and downs,” he added.
“But I have nothing but respect for him. Look at what he has achieved as a manager.
“He gets the best out of players.”