Bulldogs ready to snarl again

CONFIDENT: Mick Martindale with some of his young Bulldogs.

NEW Fitton Hill Bulldogs head coach Mick Martindale is hoping to draw on local community spirit as he bids to turn the club into a force once again.

Former Oldham St Anne’s favourite Martindale took over from David Hughes during the close season, and despite opening the 2014 North-West Men’s League Division Three season with two defeats, the new chief has been encouraged by what he has seen.

Martindale, who still helps on the junior coaching side at St Anne’s, said: “We’ve lost our first two games, but they were only by a couple of tries each. We’ve had some great young lads join us in the close season and they’ve really hit the ground running.

“We’ve been getting 25 or 26 lads down for training and they’re all off the Fitton Hill estate.

“That means a lot to me. There is a brilliant community spirit around the estate and I want to try and channel some of that into the club. So far it seems to be working. The younger lads are enjoying themselves and it’s keeping them off the streets.

“There have been some great sides her, and I’m confident we can get back to that.”

This Saturday, attention turns to the North-West Men’s League Trophy, when Martindale takes his men to Pilkington Rec.