Ossett Town have appointed former Buxton defender Grant Black as the new manager
Ossett Town have put their faith in former Buxton defender Grant Black to save them from relegation.
Black succeeds Graham Nicholas, who was sacked on Thursday morning, and he beat off competition from three other interviewed candidates to land the role, his first as a number one.
Ossett chairman James Rogers said: “Grant was up against some very good candidates, but his confident manner and clear vision for the future of the club meant that he was unanimously selected from the candidates available to be appointed as manager.”
As a player, Black is most associated with Buxton where he spent seven years. He also turned out for Bradford (Park Avenue) a few years ago. He has been player/coach under Mark Hume out at Matlock Town since early last year.
Black inherits a desperate situation as Ossett have lost nine consecutive league matches – their worst losing streak in recent memory. The latest reverse was the 2-1 defeat to fellow strugglers Radcliffe Borough under caretaker boss John Francis on Saturday.
Black only has 16 matches to pull them away from danger. Ossett lie only two points above second-bottom Harrogate Railway, who have two games in hand.
He is confident of keeping them though. He said: “I am delighted to be given this opportunity. I have been looking to take the step into management, but wanted to wait for the right opportunity before making the leap. Obviously it is going to be a difficult run in to the end of the season, but I believe the club has more than enough opportunity to remain in this division this season and then kick on up the table next season.”
The new Ossett boss also has to rebuild the squad and bring in better quality Evo Stik players.Ossett host Darlington 1883 in the Integro League Cup tomorrow night, but Black’s first league game in charge is at Burscough on Saturday.