Willcock has re-signed virtually all the players who won the North West Counties League double last season, as well as getting to the FA Vase final, and over the next few weeks will turn his attention to strengthening the squad.
“When you’re as successful as we were last year the vultures start to circle,” said the manager.
“After a promotion, you would think all the players would want to stay to have a try at the higher level, but there’s a lot of managers out there with a lot of money at their disposal. They’re going to come calling. That’s the nature of football.
“So my first port of call was to make sure I kept everybody going forward, and I’m glad to say I’m virtually there now.
“As for adding to the squad, I’ll be looking to strengthen in the next month or so. We’ve had a number of faces training with us and I’ll be making decisions shortly. But the priority was to make sure the existing squad were happy and prepared to go up to the next level.”
Because of the intensity of last season, when most of the Glossop squad played more than 60 games, the players are making a gentle return and have only just begun pre-season training.
“I’ve given them additional time off which I think will benefit us. We had a lot of success last season but it was extra long as well. The players needed an extra rest to get over the rigours of last year,” Willcock explained.