Craven Herald Sport
Accolade for Barnoldswick's bosses
11:03am Thursday 9th February 2012
Barnoldswick Town’s climb to third place in the North West Counties League Premier Division has earned another accolade for their management team.
Joint bosses Ben Hall, Stewart Airdrie and Kevin Richardson have scooped the division’s Manager of the Month award.
Barnoldswick won all three of their games in January, beating Congleton 2-0 at home and following up with victories at AFC Liverpool (1-0) and Winsford United (2-1).
Town, who only joined the league in the 2009-10 season, are two points behind leaders Ramsbottom United with two games in hand. They have also played three matches less than Bootle who are ahead of them only on goal difference.
Despite his team being so close to the top, joint manager Hall refuses to talk about the title and promotion.
He prefers to focus on the the progress the club has made. He said: “Three years ago many of our squad were playing in Sunday football.
“They have done remarkably well and we have made good progress.”
He added: “Some of our opponents have claimed that we have bought our success but that is nonsense.
“I am sure it is jealousy. We are the new boys who have made big strides. We were promoted in our first season and came fourth last year so it shouldn’t be such a surprise that we are doing so well.”
Town brought in defender Shaun Airey from Silsden and the Padiham pair Paul Fildes and Chris Ridehalgh to boost their squad this term and Hall says they are looking for more reinforcements.
“We have 18 games to play and we have a squad of 16 which is smaller than those of Ramsbottom and Bootle.
“With midweek games to play it is inevitable that we will have injuries and unavailabilities, so a lot can happen.
“I remember that last season we had taken 59 points from 30 games when we hit a bad run.
“I am not looking at the title or promotion. I just want us to concentrate on each game. The time to look at that is when we reach the last few matches.”
Town, who had their home match with Glossop North End called off last Saturday due to a frozen pitch, are due to visit Flixton on Saturday.