DARREN KELLY knows the Hyde United fans are expecting big things this year.
After the barnstorming end to last season, when the Tigers produced a string of impressive displays and lost only three times in their final 21 matches, the Ewen Fields faithful have got used to winning again.
They want more of the same and they believe, as do many others, that Hyde are among the favourites for promotion to the Evo-stik NPL premier division. However, while Kelly is prepared to guarantee fitness, strength and organisation, he stops short of promising success, even though he accepts he has assembled a formidable squad.
“Hyde United is a passionate football club and the people there are passionate about what they want. I’m a very passionate person and I have a very good relationship with the supporters who can see what I’m trying to do,” said the manager.
“Yes, I’m optimistic about what we can achieve. But because I love the club and the people there — it’s the first club where I’ve been given time to create the right sort of environment —I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot by promising things.
“I’ve certainly got a lot of confidence and belief in the squad I’ve assembled, and one thing I can guarantee is that they’ll be fit and they’ll be strong and organised, but we’ll also need that little bit of luck of luck — the rub of the green.
“We’ll certainly give it a good go. In fact I can’t wait for the season to start. I only wish the opening game had been last Saturday.”
Kelly has been busy in the transfer market over the summer and has signed 11 players, while only two, Leon Osborne and Matt Dempsey, have been listed as leaving.
Footballers like Tyrone Gay, Sanchez Payne and Chris Churchman promise exciting things, especially when combined with established stars such as Matt Beadle and Paddy Miller.
However, Kelly accepts that it will be almost impossible to keep everyone happy and that some departures are inevitable.
He commented: “It’s a big question whether we can keep people happy. We’ve created a good environment where players can come and develop and get better, bigger and stronger.
“The players at this club all buy into what I’m trying to do. They’re top men and they know where I’m coming from. I’m hoping that we can keep the majority but we’ll just have to take each games as it comes and deal with issues as they arise. Competition for places can only do so much.”
Kelly has a good idea of his starting line-up for Saturday’s opener at Scarborough Athletic. He says he’s 70 per cent sure but will not finalise his selection until he has seen the players in training and had a discussion with number-two Dave McGurk and coach Gareth Prendergast.
The manager demands total commitment, and holds the belief that those who are slack in training will be slack in games whereas those who work hard in matches will show the same attitude on the practice pitch.
Scarborough will be playing their first league game at the new Flamingo Land Stadium which represents a return to their home town ten years after the old Scarborough FC folded. Kelly knows that the historic nature of the occasion will make things twice as difficult for the Tigers but believes his squad is up to the challenge of a big day, big budget and big following.
He also sees Scarborough as one of Hyde’s main rivals for promotion, adding: “I’m a realist. There’s a lot of top clubs in the first division north this year and I know a lot of them have recruited very well.
“Scarborough, South Shields, Trafford, Tadcaster, Ossett Town, Bamber Bridge and Colne are all good sides. They can all stake a claim to be at the top end of the table.
“But I think this is our best season to do something. The promotion positions are up for grabs and we need to go out and make sure that we approach every game in the right way and leave no stone unturned. We’ve got to be focused and working hard, and never take our foot off the pedal.
“Last season was a big learning curve for me. I came into the job and I didn’t know the league. Now, I’m wiser and I know what it takes.
“All the pieces are in place. We’ve just got to hope they fall the right way.”