Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Steve Lenthall says advice from other managers has helped him acclimatise to life as Penistone Church manager.
Non League Yorkshire’s January manager of the month Lenthall has enjoyed a dream start as the Church boss as his side have rocketed up the table from no man’s land to become top three contenders.
But he had to go through a crash course to improve his knowledge about the Division.
“It is a massive change (to my lifestyle),” Lenthall told Non League Yorkshire.
“It is like a full-time job and any manager at this level and above would say that.
“Luckily my wife is pretty lenient with me and she comes with me (scouting).
“I go and watch games and I spoke to a couple of managers when I first took over.
“I spoke to Rimmo (Jonathan Rimmington) at Liversedge and he told me you have to get to as many games as possible and learn about teams and players.
“It is something I’ve took on board.
“It is time consuming but it is beneficial.
“Watching Emley-Knaresborough helped us identity some areas where we could hurt Knaresborough (last week).”
Lenthall was the club’s hugely-successful reserve team boss for years until last summer and he agrees managing in the NCEL is a different world to the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League.
“The phone never stops,” he said.
“Compared to when I was managing in the County Senior I’d say there’s another 50/60% phone calls.
“I’m not saying the County Senior isn’t professional but you’re stepping up to semi-professional level so you’re managing players who get a little bit of money for playing.
“You have to make sure that’s right and managing budgets is totally new to me and Jubby (John Whitehead).
“You’re also dealing with the club differently because it is about results (with the first team).”
Penistone are fifth, four points behind third-placed Garforth Town with two games-in-hand.
The Church boss is not making bold predictions though.
“We’re looking at it one game at a time and hope other teams take points off teams around us,” he said.
“I think Grimsby are going to win it, I think you have to say that.
“You’re hoping the teams around us drop points and we can keep doing what we are doing.
“Anything in the top five is a massive achievement from where we were when we first took over.
“I think we were 16 or 17th.
“To get in the top five would be a massive achievement and the club actually said a top ten finish would be a decent.
“When you looked at the position we were in, it was mainly about making sure we stopped in the league.”
A pitch inspection is to take place at 10am for Penistone’s home clash with old foes and relegation candidates Hemsworth Miners Welfare.
If it does beat the weather, Lenthall says his men face a huge test.
“It is going to be a battle and they’ll want revenge,” he said.
“The first game got abandoned because of an incident in the crowd.
“It wasn’t our fault as one of their spectators attacked one of our players when they were winning 3-1.
“We went back and beat them 2-1 so they will want revenge for that.
“I think they showed in both games that they have quality and (Shane) Kelsey has brought a few players in so it will be a tough task.
“It is a must-win for them if you look at the table.”