Hamilton baffled by Naylor snub

MYSTERY: Scott Naylor’s omission from the list of nominees is a surprise given Oldham’s season.

CHRIS Hamilton has described as "beyond belief" a Kingstone Press Championship One coach of the year poll that has snubbed Oldham boss Scott Naylor.

Final choice will come from a short list of four - Stanley Gene (Gateshead), Mike Grady (South Wales), Gary Thornton (York) and Troy Perkins (Hemel). The winner - voted by coaches - will be announced at the 2014 Kingstone Press Championships Awards Night in Manchester next Tuesday.

"I was disappointed last year when Scott wasn't among the nominees, but this year I'm even more mystified,” said the Oldham chairman.

"It’s beyond belief that Scott isn't seen as one of the top four coaches in Championship One."

In Naylor's first at Whitebank last year, Oldham finished second, two points behind promoted North Wales Crusaders, and reached the play-off final.

This year Naylor's men finished third behind York and Hunslet, but have beaten them both away in the play-offs to qualify for a second final in two years.

Added Hamilton: “If Scott is regarded, at best, as the fifth-ranked coach in our division then I’ve learned absolutely nothing in the last 17 years of dealing with coaches at Oldham and other clubs.

“Given the limited resources at Oldham, he’s done a remarkable job.

“Maybe, this is a case of some coaches taking a dislike to his direct style and the fact that he is an honest man who tells it as it is. If that’s the case, I’ll take Scott’s style all day long.”