Jon Miles (left) believes Glasshoughton can have a bright future
Jon Miles believes an influx of volunteers is all what is needed to put Glasshoughton Welfare back on the right track.
Miles has overseen Glasshoughton’s relegation back to Division One of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League, but struggles off-the-pitch have played a part in the background.
Welfare have now lost their popular and long-serving chairman Phil Riding, who has resigned due to work commitments, along with several other volunteers for the same reason.
Miles told Non League Yorkshire: “It is not for me to comment as the manager who is not sure he is staying, but for anyone on the outside looking in, the club is not in fantastic shape.
“There are committee members with health issues, problems with somewhere to train, not great finances at the club and a chairman who is stepping down because he can’t commit.
“Phil is a big influence on the club as well. It has been a roller-coaster year. Looking forward, i think there is a enough there to try and get some stability.
“If someone can put together a two-year plan then I think it can push on. I don’t fear for the club’s future from where I’m standing.
“I think the committee know they need an influx of younger or youthful people on it and there is potential in the area to get sponsorship.
“They have had no commercial manager this year which has not helped.”
Popular Glasshoughton Welfare chairman Phil Riding has stepped down because of work commitments
The Glasshoughton manager’s fate rests in the hands of the committee who are set to meet in the coming days to discuss the future.
Miles has refused to walk away from because of his loyalty to the club. He was brought up in a house behind one of the goals at Leeds Road so has a lot of affinity for Glasshoughton.
The former reserve team boss replaced Rob Hunter last summer after a 12-game spell as caretaker manager.
But, he has struggled in the permanent seat. His side have finished bottom of the Premier Division after several double-figure beatings.
On his side’s record in the league, Miles said: “I don’t want to sound like it is the committee’s fault that we are in the position that we are.
“The reason we are in the position we are is because we haven’t been good enough on the football field.
“I’m sure if I showed (former Glasshoughton manager) Craig Elliott the list of the 35 players we have signed on, he could get a side out that could finish in the top ten.
“Some of them haven’t played this year and some of these are out and out top NCEL players. I’ve had sleepless nights because people haven’t turned up – my wife has told me to pack it in several times.
“We went to Armthorpe with ten and I could name hundreds of occasions where people have let me down.”
Miles does want to carry on in the job and lead their revival in Division One.
He would be prepared to stand aside if a suitable candidate comes forward, but he has urged the committee to make a quick decision on who will be in charge next season.
“We came in ten games to go (last season) and we had some great results like at Tadcaster,” he added.
“They decided that we had done alright, but wanted us to apply.
“However, like what will happen this year, the club dragged its heels and it was nearly June before it made a decision.
“It is too late because clubs have got pre-season friendlies and players have signed for clubs.
“The committee really need to jump on it and whether it is me or somebody else, give them a chance to get a foot in to speak to people.”