Evo Stik North
Brighouse Town
Like at a few clubs this summer, it is all-change in the dugout for the first time in a few years. The Brighouse Messiah Paul Quinn felt it was the right time to leave in May after six years glorious in charge. Now Vill Powell has been passed the baton to continue his superb work.
Who’s In Charge
Vill Powell
Brighouse Town manager Vill Powell
Powell has finally won his chance to show what he can do as a number one. The former Sheffield FC striker is a UEFA A License holder who had been the first team coach at Harrogate Town.
Opening Five Fixtures
Skelmersdale United (H), South Shields (A), Bamber Bridge (A) – Emirates FA Cup, Goole AFC (A), Tadcaster Albion (H).
Player Movement
In: Chandler Hallwood (loan-Harrogate Town), Brad Riley (Ossett Town), Adam Jones, Connor Griffin (Rainworth Miners Welfare), Gabriel Johnson (Hallam), Jamie Underdown, Marcel Chipamunga, Danny Ramsey, Royale Johnson, Matty Ord (Hallam), Reece Treasure (Sheffield FC), Declan Howard.
Out: Everyone but Tom Haigh, Adam Field, Adam Shaw.
One to Watch
Tom Haigh
Tom Haigh is Brighouse Town’s key man
The midfielder has stayed loyal to Brighouse and when he returns from his ban, he adds a bit of experience to the side.
Interview
Brighouse Town manager Vill Powell
New manager Vill Powell is aiming high at Brighouse Town, but has conceded that things may not come together overnight.
Powell is leading a brand new team as only three players remain with the club from last season.
“My mentality is to never go backwards,” Powell told Non League Yorkshire.
“For me, they finished ninth last season and anything less than that will be a failure in my eyes, even though it is a brand new team.
“I will be looking at ninth or above, definitely trying to get in the play-offs.
“I think we will have enough to be in-and-around there. That’s it.
“I have no thoughts of consolidating or fighting relegation or anything like that.
“My mind is to be fighting at the top end of the table. That’s where I have been all my career as a player.
“I know it is completely different as a manager, but that’s where my targets are and that’s where I have set my sights.
“I expect a few rocky moments at the start. It will be difficult to start with, but I feel I have the tools and expertise to succeed.
“Patience is going to be the key. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
The Brighouse post is Powell’s first as a manager in his own right and he believes he has picked the correct club for his first gambit on his own.
Prior to his appointment in May, he was first team coach at Harrogate Town.
“It came out of the blue (the opportunity),” Powell added.
“I was always happy at Harrogate and working with Simon (Weaver). My plan was always to be and helping them push on.
“I always said it was the case of selecting the chairman and not necessarily the club (for when I took a manager’s position).
“After speaking to (chairman) Charlie (Tolley) and his board members, it looked like an opportunity too good to turn down.
“I look at Brighouse and the set-up and it is a progressive club that wants to move forward.
“No it hasn’t got the riches of others, it wants to walk before it can run. I don’t mind that and I don’t mind getting my hands dirty.
“It is going to be hard work, I have no illusions.”
Prediction
Hard to predict because it is a completely new side with a players making the step-up to the Evo Stik for the first time.