Managerless schools’ side likely to fold

FOOTBALL:

OLDHAM Schools’ district football looks increasingly likely to fold unless a volunteer steps forward to run the team at the 11th hour.

Secretary John Noble, who works at Blessed John Henry Newman College (formerly Our Lady’s School), has devoted his time over a number of years to the running of the town team in a dedicated behind-the-scenes capacity.

But Noble has found the job difficult in recent seasons with the demands of the manager’s role proving hard to attract a willing participant — and they have already forfeited two matches.

He has streamlined the number of district teams in recent years from three representative sides down to just one side, which was due to compete at under-14 level this time round.

But following the withdrawal of the team manager for that side just a week before the new season was due to commence, they are also set to fall by the wayside.

Noble said: “It would be a crying shame to see the football come to an end, but it is hard to see any other outcome at this moment unless someone steps up very soon.

“We have a good history, which was demonstrated only last season when the under-15s made it through to the quarter-finals of the English Schools FA Inter-Association Trophy, which is a tough knockout competition.

“At that point our manager was Adam Clee, but he had to leave at the end of the season due to other commitments.

“We had someone lined up and everything was in place when he came to us and said he could not take the post.”

Noble has asked that any enthusiastic local teacher who would be willing to give up their Saturday mornings to run the side to contact him urgently on 07857 132079 or at Newman College on (0161) 624 9974.