Hardicre refuses to give up the fight

HOMEWORK: Hollinwood manager Fred Hardicre searches for players.

AMATEUR FOOTBALL: FRED Hardicre knew he had a job on his hands when he was given the managerial reins at Hollinwood prior to the start of this campaign.

Hollinwood were rocked in the close season when the three-man management team of Paul Bennett, Phil Brown and Ricky Blackman all left the club.

There followed a mass exodus of players - 15 in total - leaving the newly-appointed Hardicre with not much room for manoeuvre if Hollinwood were to continue to be a force in the Premier Division of the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League.

And despite an horrendous start to the campaign which has seen Hardicre's side lose every single one of their opening nine matches with a goal difference of minus 32, the 50-year-old battler is confident of better times ahead.

Hardicre said: "I don't throw in the towel and I know I can build a team.

"It's a step up in class for me as it is for the players who are now in the first team.

"We've got the volume of players to maintain the running of three teams, but at first team level we don't yet have the experience.

"Despite our record so far, we haven't played badly, but the players who have made the step up from reserve team football are being punished for every mistake because that's the way it is in the Premier Division."

Hardicre lost the services of key players, goalkeeper Lee Mullen and goal-machine Alan Beckett to Royton Town.

Hollinwood secretary Ken Evans said: "When you lose players of the calibre of Beckett then it is always going to be a blow. This all stemmed from the bad run that we had after winning the Manchester County FA Challenge Cup in February. Especially after losing in the Gilgryst Cup final."

As for Hardicre, Evans said: "He's determined enough and if has the same success with the firsts as he has had with the second team and the juniors then we will be okay.

"We are both very busy at the moment looking out for experienced players to bring to the club."

There was, however, one reason to celebrate last weekend, with the third team winning the local derby 4-3 against Royton Town in the Third Division of the Manchester League.

It was the first win for any team at Hollinwood this season.