Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
New Maltby Main joint managers Andy Dawson and Lee Whitehead intend to recreate the team spirit they had at Parkgate as they look to build a successful future at Muglet Lane.
Dawson and Whitehead took training for the first time on Tuesday night following their succession to the throne after the departure of Russ Eagle at the weekend.
The pair were in charge of Parkgate for four years and one of the key cornerstones of their success was their team’s camaraderie.
Dawson says they want the same culture at Maltby.
“From day one we want to replicate the team spirit we had at Parkgate,” Dawson told Non League Yorkshire.
“We took all the players after training for a drink as part of a bonding thing.
“Me and Lee bought the lads a drink and we wanted to start as we intend to go on.
“We want to build a club where we get the same team spirit and togetherness we ended up getting at Parkgate.
“The dressing room has to be right.
“Myself and Lee don’t stand for anyone that is not going to fit into our changing room.
“They could be a world-beater, but if they’re not going to fit in and upset the applecart then we’ll not have them.
“The team spirit was a big part of the success at Parkgate.
“We were never going to be blessed with being able to bring whatever player we wanted in.
“We couldn’t cherrypick lads.
“What we did was integrate them properly and made sure nobody felt isolated and that gave us that extra percentage on-the-pitch.”
With only two weeks to go until the start of the NCEL season, the timing of the appointments is far from ideal for Parkgate.
However, Dawson says he and Whitehead were handed an opportunity they had to take.
“Myself and Lee had the opportunity to go a league higher at what I would call a very progressive club and we want to challenge ourselves,” he said.
“I think we have earned the right to take that chance.
“There was nothing we could do about the timing.
“We had been there four years.
“We played Sheffield FC on Saturday and drew 2-2 and we gave a great account of ourselves.
“We played Rotherham and lost 4-2 and Paul Warne said it was the toughest game he had had against Parkgate in time in charge of Rotherham.
“Everything was going swimmingly and we were setting up for a game against Stocksbridge on Tuesday,
“We had already told the lads who would be playing.
“(Maltby) came out of the blue and we both felt it was something we couldn’t turn down and we’d like to thank the Maltby chairman Wilf Race and the committee for the faith they have shown in us.”
Parkgate were struggling in the league in 2018 when Dawson was handed his first managerial posting.
Fast forward four years and Parkgate were contenders in the top ten and Dawson says he and Whitehead are proud of their achievements at Roundwood.
“I’d like to place on record thanks to everyone who supported myself and Lee at Parkgate,” he said.
“I’d personally like to thank all the players who played for us at Parkgate over the four years.
“When myself and Lee came into (Parkgate) they were bottom of the (NCEL Division One table) with one point after eight games.
“The club was on its knees playing-wise.
“Within that first season we went on a nine-game unbeaten run.
“We had two seasons cut short and then last season we made a late charge for the play-offs.
“We went 11 games unbeaten and eight of those being wins.
“Myself and Lee take great pride in what we did with limited resources.
“I’m guessing this is the reason Maltby have approached us and also because we have shown longevity at a club.”
The focus now for the pair is on recruitment and building a squad for the season opener against Frickley Athletic at Muglet Lane on the 30th July.
Six players have moved across from Parkgate so far and another three have been confirmed as retained from last season.
Dawson says the past few days have been manic.
“If we had had a game on Tuesday we’d have been struggling to get a team,” he said.
“We’ve had to work very quickly.
“On Sunday night myself and Lee spent five hours together ringing players and speaking to people, trying to get our foot firmly placed down so we can make some foundations.
“We haven’t got long until the season starts.”