SADDLEWORTH RANGERS’ new first-team coach Craig Farrimond is hoping to improve on last year’s eighth-place finish when the National Conference League action returns in March.
Rangers’ near perfect final month of the 2014 campaign helped them avoid relegation from division one, but a poor run of form earlier on – including nine consecutive defeats – meant the Shaw Hall Bank Road side had faced back-to-back demotions.
Former coach Shane Tupaea never gave up hope and was finally rewarded with a string of victories, with thanks being paid to inspirational players such as Matt Bottom and Ben Whitehead.
Now assistant coach Farrimond is stepping up to take on Tupaea’s role and revealed he is looking forward to leading the team.
He said: “I always wanted to get into coaching after finishing playing, so I’m glad I’ve now got that chance.
“The team has been together for 12 months now, and the form at the end of the season shows the quality we have.”
And Farrimond, who has just returned from Amsterdam with the team, said he will be expecting big things in the 2015 season.
‘We are looking at pushing for promotion,” he said. “We will be hoping to build on what was established last season.”
For more information about Saddleworth Rangers and their senior and junior teams, visit their website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/saddleworthrangersarlfc
WATERHEAD, meanwhile, are still putting the finishing touches to their new coaching team for the 2015 season.
Chairman Mick Slicker snr has confirmed the club will be promoting from within to replace Chris Hough who stood down at the end of last season.
Mick added that there will be a pool of coaches who will be involved with the first team and under-18’s. Both teams will train together.
“I am still talking to people and it wouldn’t be fair to say anything until everything is finalised,” he explained.
It looks as though the likes of Chris McAndrew, Paul Bennett, Paul Geener and Kieran Brennan will feature.
Mick admitted a lot of work needs to be done to rebuild the club following back-to-back relegations as they will be in National Conference League, division three in 2015.
“It has been a tough couple of years, but that is the past and we have to look forward,” he said.
Geener organised a recent friendly between his under-18’s and Waterhead old boys who emerged 50-28 victors with several of the former players hinting they may possibly return which would provide badly-needed experience to a youthful first team.
