Toolstation NCEL Division One
New Nostell Miners Welfare joint manager Simon Houghton
Simon Houghton and Jason Dodsworth are back in football after becoming the new joint managers of Nostell Miners Welfare, replacing Des Hazel who has stepped down for personal reasons.
Non League Yorkshire can exclusively reveal the change in management at Crofton Community Centre.
Hazel leaves Nostell after five months in charge, but with an enormous amount of credit as he has “restored pride” in the club which was a shambles on-the-field for a lot of last season.
Houghton, one of the most highly-regarded and most-sought after managers in the NCEL, and very successful boss Dodsworth end their sabbaticals from football to take up the positions.
Nostell chairman Kevin Allsop told Non League Yorkshire: “I’m absolutely delighted to confirm Simon and Jason as our new managers.
“I think it is a real statement of intent from ourselves because they are two very proven NCEL managers.
“Simon has done a brilliant job at everywhere he has been, while Jason has won countless trophies with Athersley. Their ability to attract quality players is second to none and that is a key reason why we have chosen to appoint them.
“Everyone I have spoken to speaks very highly of them.
“Des leaves with his head held high and he should be proud of what he has achieved with very limited resources. He has restored pride in the club with the team’s performances so far this season. He has given Simon and Jason an excellent platform to build from.”
Houghton has done wonderful things with every club he has served. He raised Pontefract Collieries from the abyss in 2008 and quickly turned them into heavyweights before going onto win promotion as assistant manager of Glasshoughton Welfare and then Athersley Rec.
Work and family commitments have stalled his managerial career in recent years, but he has still done well during brief stints with Shaw Lane AFC and Glasshoughton – during a joint manager tenure with former Hemsworth striker Craig Wilkinson.
Athersley stalwart Dodsworth served as coach, assistant manager and finally joint manager at Rec until family reasons meant he had to step down in the summer of 2016.
Apart from a very brief stint as the assistant manager of Handsworth Parramore last season, he has been out of the game since. Although he has remained a familiar figure on many Non League football ground terraces.
Jason Dodsworth is the new joint manager of Nostell
Des Hazel leaves Nostell with his head held high after restoring pride in the club