Paul finding his feet

PAUL WATERHOUSE celebrated his first win as manager of Uppermill — a 2-0 defeat of reigning champions Lepton Highlanders — with what he described as a “David Pleat moment”.

Pleat, then manager of Luton Town, will always be remembered for his bizarre dance celebration after Raddy Antic’s goal against Manchester City ensured his side’s survival in the old division one in 1983.

Waterhouse said: “When the full-time whistle blew, Chris (Barlow) and I did a merry jig up and down the touchline to celebrate, but I don’t think it will win us any ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ awards.”

He has been promoted from third-team manager at Uppermill to the first team, where he works alongside Barlow, younger brother of former Latics’ player Andy.

The 38-year-old (pictured), a business analyst of IT systems for a telecommunications company, is putting those analytical skills to good use in his preparations for matches in division one of the Huddersfield and District League.

Waterhouse said: “Uppermill have a high profile. We play in the top tier of the Huddersfield League and it is important we stay there.

“The step up from third-team manager to the first team has been a challenge and, so far, it has been very different.

“We have a responsibility to the many youngsters who have joined the club of late and, although we are an ongoing project, we have to make sure that we don’t trip up along the way.”

Waterhouse replaced Matthew Poulter in the close season and is looking for an improvement on last term when Uppermill narrowly avoided relegation.

Waterhouse, who is perhaps better known by his nickname of ‘Shed’, spent 13 years in the RAF as a ground technician until he left in 2001.

He said: “When you join the RAF, they invariably give people nicknames.

“For example, any Welsh recruit will be known as ‘Taff’ and a Scotsman will always be ‘Jock’.

“I became ‘Shed’, my name being corrupted into that of the old outside toilet and it has stuck ever since.”

Holder of an FA level two coaching badge, Waterhouse stresses the importance of good planning and preparation for matches.

And those two key aspects were again to the fore as his side overcame Moldgreen 2-1 last Saturday.