JOHN FLANAGAN has rubbished speculation linking him with a move to Stockport County. Flattered as he is by the connection, he insists he still harbours a determination to turn Curzon Ashton into a side that can challenge for the National League North play-offs.
“I’m committed to Curzon,” the Nash boss said. “I’ve had some great times here and I continue to enjoy the challenge.
“In fact the challenge is part of what makes the job so appealing. You can’t just go out and sign players, which makes it tough finding answers. My big target would be to make Curzon into one of the six or seven clubs battling for a play-off position.
“I’m confident I could do a good job at County, and I would love to have their budget, but I think it’s very unlikely they would ever approach me. The fans have a massive influence on appointments there and I don’t the board would be brave enough.
“I may have a little bit of a background with Stockport but that wouldn’t count for a lot.”
Since taking over at the Tameside Stadium in 2011, Flanagan has transformed the Nash into an outfit that punches above its weight. An NPL first division north club only four years ago, they are now enjoying their third season in the National League.
However, having performed impressively in the first two, the Nash have been finding life more difficult this year.
It’s hardly surprising as the division features five full-time clubs led by Salford City who have the backing of former Manchester United stars such as Gary Neville, Paul, Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
Curzon have hovered dangerously close to the relegation places at times, but Flanagan says he is unfazed and believes his team will avoid the drop.
“We’ve always known it would be a tough ask but we’re not whipping boys. We’ve demonstrated that we can produce performances that are capable of getting us some points. We also know that if we can get about halfway in the table we’re really pulling up trees,” he explained.
“This season we’ve drifted down into the bottom six and if it wasn’t for having a really good week when we took seven points from three games we would be right in the relegation zone. There’s only a tiny bit of breathing space but that’s the same in most divisions. Just look at the Premier League.
“The Curzon directors help me as much as they can. Recently they found the money so that I could sign Ben McKenna, who has the ability to carry the ball, and Sam Walker, who can pick a pass and do well at set-pieces. We’ve also got Jake Dunwoody on loan from Stoke and I would like to thank Stoke for their co-operation.
“Players like this make the difference. They add a little bit of stardust.
“I believe we’ll be okay. We probably need another 13 or 14 points and what might play in our favour is that there will six clubs in the play-offs this season instead of four. Once those places are settled the clubs involved might start fielding weaker sides or their players may not put themselves out as much. Clubs who are not going up or down could also take their foot off the gas.
“We’ve had a few postponements so we might start getting sides like this, midweek and when they’ve had to travel. That might favour us but we’re talking small margins.”
Punishing schedule
STALYBRIDGE Celtic are faced with the prospect of playing up to 19 games in 53 days after tomorrow (Saturday’s) game with Workington fell victim to the Beast from the East.
The Bridge still have 16 league fixtures to fulfil as well as a potential three games in the Cheshire Senior Cup. With little sign of a break in the weather, Tuesday’s trip to Mickleover must also be in doubt.
Manager Steve Burr will need all his experience to get his paper-thin squad through to the end of April.
With Celtic’s next five scheduled games all away from home, and the next game at Bower Fold not until March 24, the club is facing a cash-flow crisis. Some kindhearted fans have reacted to this by stating on Twitter that they will donate their entrance fee from tomorrow’s postponed clash to the club to help it through a difficult period.
Kelly’s not worried
TWO postponements in a week have left Darren Kelly untroubled. Asked if he was worried about a fixture pile-up hampering Hyde United’s promotion push he replied: “No, not in the slightest.”
The Tigers are second in the Evo-stik NPL first division north table, a point behind South Shields and a point ahead of Scarborough, but having played a game more.
Their form remains impressive but what could hurt them is absences.
Striker Matt Beadle misses the next four games after receiving his second straight red of the season in last week’s victory over Kendal; Tom Pratt broke a toe in the same match, and is in plaster; and Chris Sutherland continues to struggle with a long-term leg injury.
To help alleviate the problem, Kelly has signed striker Adam Gilchrist from FC United.
Aeon’s unity call
THE last word goes to Droylsden assistant-manager Aeon Lattie. After looking like play-off candidates the Bloods have not won a game in 2018.
Lattie said: “In difficult times sticking together is the only option.”