Evo Stik East
History-maker: Craig Parry is Pontefract Collieries’ greatest ever manager after leading them to back-to-back promotions and into the Evo Stik
Craig Parry believes Pontefract Collieries will be written off as relegation fodder in the Evo Stik, just like the club has been throughout his glory-filled reign.
Parry has been Non League Football’s equivalent of Marco Polo after leading the Colls on an incredible and historic adventure by winning back-to-back promotions since taking charge of the club in November 2015.
Tomorrow he will lead his club out for their first ever Evo Stik fixture when Lincoln United visit Beechnut Lane and Parry says the first aim is to establish Pontefract as a Step Four club.
“Myself and Craig (Rouse) as a management team have to keep the expectation levels at the right level,” Parry told Non League Yorkshire.
“We are at Evo Stik level now and we are probably the smallest club in the league. Everyone can agree on that.
“So the expectation levels are probably relegation favourites again, but we’ve been there a few times in the past couple of years.
“For us it is about keeping expectation levels right and consolidate really and doing the best we can. It is a massive step for us, not just on a playing front. Also when you’re talking to players and trying negotiate deals.
“There are some big spenders in the league and people with big ambitions so you’re competing against some really top clubs.”
Pontefract were actually relegated to the Toolstation NCEL Division One in Parry’s first six months in charge. However, he returned the club to the Premier Division at the first attempt after a thrilling promotion race.
With more-or-less the same squad, Pontefract then cantered to the Premier title with over 100 points in the bag.
The title was won at Maltby Main in April and Parry briefly reflected on that day before pledging his faith in his back-to-back promotion-winning squad.
“I think it was a great day, an emotional day for everyone connected with the club,” he said.
“No-one gave us a chance of doing anything in league so to win it in the style we did was really special, but we have to move on now. It is a new season and new chapter for the club.
“We’re into a new league which brings new challenges. The players worked so hard last season to get to this stage where they’re going to be playing at bigger grounds, bigger crowds.
“We should embrace it and look to establish Pontefract Collieries in the Evo Stik. We need to get some points on the board early on and prove that we belong at this level.
“What I will also say is that the lads have done well for us so we will give them the chance to show they can perform at this level.
“They more than deserve the chance and they will get it. We believe they can and we’re looking forward to starting the new season with them.”