Russ Eagle says the potential of Retford United lured him to the club
Russ Eagle did not even give a second thought to accepting the Retford United job because he sees the “potential” in the club.
Paul Ward was sacked following the 6-1 defeat to Garforth Town – their sixth straight league defeat – and Eagle was the only candidate approached on Sunday to take the role on.
The former Handsworth Parramore manager has been waiting patiently for an opportunity since his shock departure from Sandy Lane in October.
Eagle is now tasked with ensuring struggling Retford’s status as a Toolstation NCEL Premier Division club for next season.
“Retford, its got potential,” said Eagle, whose new side have only won three league games all season.
“Relegation has not even crossed my mind.
“From speaking to the players on Sunday, they felt like they were at a dead end and that they need a spark.
“I can give them that.
“The club wants to progress and I don’t want at a club that is happy to be sat in mid-table.
“It’s not long since Brett Marshall won the NCEL title with Retford (in 2012) and then there is what Mark Shaw and Peter Duffield did with the club.
“There’s the potential to do it again and that’s why I said yes.”
Eagle is popular and well-regarded across South Yorkshire from his spells as manager of Parkgate, Maltby and the original Handsworth team.
He guided Handsworth to the Division One crown in 2012 – the same season Retford won the Premier Division under Marshall.
He took reigns of Worksop Parramore in the summer of 2013 and remained in charge there until a few months ago.
Whilst he has been actively pursing potential opportunities, Eagle admits the appointment was signed and sealed very quickly.
“It all came out of blue,” Eagle said.
“I got a call on Saturday night to ask if I was interested and I said yes.
“The decision (to sack Ward) was then made on Sunday morning and I was asked again whether I would take the job and I said yes.
“I’ve been desperate to get back in.
“Football is a big part of my life and I need to be involved in it.
“I don’t want to be stood watching on the side-lines.”
Weather-permitting, he will take charge of Retford for the first time at Barton Town Old Boys tomorrow evening.
All of Ward’s squad will be involved as Eagle is unlikely to bring any players until the crunch match with fellow strugglers Armthorpe Welfare at the weekend.
He is aiming to bring three new players to the club for the crucial home game with Armthorpe and Eagle added: “Looking at it, we’re fourth-bottom and we need to be beating the teams around us.
“We have Barton tomorrow and the minimum I’m looking for is a point.
“Then we have the big one on Saturday against Armthorpe which we need to be winning to get some breathing space.
“We need points sharpish, but win on Saturday and and it leaves the three below with a massive task.
“We need to beating teams like Armthorpe, Glasshoughton and Liversedge – the teams around us and that’s all I’m looking at.”
Liam Nelthorpe misses the trip to Barton because of work commitments.
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