Shaw Lane AFC manager Craig Elliott has won five promotions as a manager – three with the Ducks
Craig Elliott will tick off another item on his wish-list when he leads Shaw Lane AFC into the televised Emirates FA Cup first round tie with Mansfield Town.
It is the pinnacle of a magnificent managerial career which probably hasn’t even hit its highest note yet.
Elliott has long hoped to guide a team to the prestigious first round. He’s now done it, adding to an ever-growing scroll of achievements.
No-one can dispute his phenomenal record over the past ten years – a record that makes him the most successful West Yorkshire-based Non League manager in recent memory.
Elliott’s playing career shows success, with a title win with Hatfield Main at the age of 17 being a major highlight.
Injury meant he packed up early. Trevor Waddington, the then-Pontefract Collieries chairman, gave him his first opportunity in the dugout by giving him the reserve team manager’s position nearly ten years ago.
The chance – with his hometown club – was fitting as the Colls is also the club that his love affair with Non League football began. His dad Ged was manager of the club two decades and growing up, he watched them avidly.
Kellingley in the West Yorkshire League was the first port of call from an open age point of view. And surprise, surprise, a Division One title and promotion was delivered at the first attempt in 2010.
Glasshoughton Welfare, who he had made his playing debut for at 16, soon came calling. In just two seasons, he took them on a magical journey.
Having won the Wilkinson Sword Trophy in the first year, with a brilliant ensemble of players, promotion back to the NCEL Premier Division was deservedly won in dramatic circumstances on the final day of the second season.
Craig Elliott led Glasshoughton on a magical journey for two seasons between 2010 and 2012
Craig Elliott during his time at Ossett Town
Craig Elliott has consistently delivered for Shaw Lane chairman Craig Wood since taking charge in 2014
Because his time with Welfare was so good that it was hardly a surprise that Evo Stik side Ossett Town offered him their manager’s job a few weeks later in 2012.
Although no silverware was won, he again did an excellent job with the resources available.
His team were flying when he stunned the Non League world in February 2014 by dropping down two divisions to take over at Shaw Lane, then a fledging NCEL Division One side.
He was described as crackers by many, but the decision has proved a wise one as, like an express train he has led them to three promotions in four years – plus a Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup triumph. He also got them to the FA Vase quarter-finals in 2015.
Some would say he couldn’t fail with the finances at his disposal, but you still have to create a team, not a team of individuals – something that he has consistently done.
Elliott also showed his muscles as a manager by keeping the team together in difficult circumstances after the tragic death of Dan Wilkinson last year – whose memory is bound to be in his head prior to the Mansfield clash.
Success at all these clubs has not just been totally his own work as his loyal sidekick Daz Smith has been with him all the way since Glasshoughton. Add a more recent arrival in John Reed, his manager at Hatfield in the 1990s, Shaw Lane have a formidable management team.
Regardless of how the Mansfield clash pans out, with the way Shaw Lane are playing in the league, the list of honours is only going to grow.