Nostell to adopt sporting director model

Toolstation NCEL Division One

Nostell Miners Welfare want a manager who is prepared to work under a sporting director model, chairman Kev Allsop has revealed.

Eleven people have applied for the vacant post since the resignation of Graham Nicholas last week. At least three of those are set to be interviewed. The deadline for applications is tomorrow (Tuesday).

Nostell are fed up of having a “revolving door” of players and managers, having gone through three permanent managers in three years. This is the reason why they have chosen to go down a brave route, one which is unusual in Non League football.

Crucially, the successful applicant is unlikely to have the final say on new signings.

“One thing going forward is that there will be no wholesale changes down here from a player recruitment point of view,” Mr Allsop told Non League Yorkshire.

“We have had a situation in the last three years where we have allowed managers to have complete autonomy on player recruitment.

“If you look at where we are, we are where we are because we have allowed others to dictate to us. That has to change.

“You look at the performance against Hallam (on Saturday) with five guys that signed on Friday night from the second team. They were fantastic.

“We have talent at this club, let’s use it. There doesn’t need wholesale changes so I’m not interested in anyone who comes along and says he’s going to bring 11 new players into the club.

“We probably need three or four players with a bit of experience to come in.

“I think from a football management point of view, we need to make a very strong statement to whoever may come in, saying that the club comes first.

“I see it being the sporting director model, where we work with the manager to ensure that the players who do come to the club, come for the right reasons.

“To ensure that we don’t have the issues we have had recently, I think I will be taking responsibility with the manager to identity targets and I will be wanting to be involved in signing them to ensure that they are coming for the right reasons.

“We don’t want a revolving door ever again, whether its with players or the manager. We want a situation where if the manager leaves, nothing changes.”

Nostell only appointed former Garforth Town and Ossett Town boss Nicholas in May. His reign lasted just nine games, ending with the 3-2 defeat to Grimsby Borough.

Mr Allsop admitted he was not shocked when Nicholas resigned straight after the final whistle. Results had not been good enough, but Mr Allsop said that a falling out with two committee members over a few issues had played a part in his decision.

“I think from what I have seen of football at this level, there is no substitute for experience and I think on reflection, the young and youthful team we had were struggling in key and important areas,” he said.

“Unless you can win your midfield battles, how are you going to get a foot in a game? Graham thought it was right to resign and I think it was down to results and also because he had issues with a couple of committee members.

“Results didn’t go his way. In the last three games (prior to Hallam), we have struggled to compete. I wasn’t surprised when he resigned.”

At least six players have left the club since Nicholas’ departure. Danny Harris has informed Nostell that he won’t be returning.

Several more have not returned phone calls. Nostell face Glasshoughton Welfare in the League Cup on Tuesday night. Terry Bates, Scott Atkinson and Mark Booth remain in charge.

If Nostell do not appoint their new manager this week, Bates and Atkinson will lead them at Selby Town on Saturday as Booth will be running the club’s reserve team.