Old pal link-up enticed Crompton

CRICKET:

NEW Saddleworth Rangers coach Martin Crompton admits he couldn’t resist linking back up with his old mate Terry Flanagan once again.

In a major coup, the Greenfield club have landed the former Oldham Bears captain and ex-Blackpool coach, who was recently tipped for the very top of the game’s coaching ladder.

Through no fault of his own, that didn’t work out — Crompton says that he is ‘100-per-cent’ not interested in a return to the professional ranks — and so for the winter at least, he will concentrate on sharing the benefit of his considerable experience with grateful Rangers.

“I am finding it quite unbelievable myself, but you just can’t say ‘no’ to Terry,” said Crompton, nominated for the coach of the year award in Co-operative Championship One.

“He told me he needed a new coach for the short winter season and with his charm and charisma got me in to doing it.

“Hopefully I can provide a few ideas to freshen things up.

"It is great to be working with Terry again as he is someone who I really get on with and respect.”

Crompton was captain of the Bears when the club went into liquidation in 1997 and had a similarly traumatic experience at Blackpool last year, when the club was deducted 10 points for breaking RFL rules before folding at the end of the campaign.

Now, though, the 41-year-old is looking with optimism towards the challenge that awaits him at Saddleworth.

“The club is celebrating its 80th anniversary, which is a fantastic achievement, and they enjoyed a strong finish in the National Conference League Premier Division last season,” said Crompton, a player under Rangers chairman Flanagan when he was in charge of the Ireland national team in the mid-1990s.

“I am excited to be working with a new group of players and hopefully we can do well together.

“Oldham has always held a special place in my heart.

“Though my time here didn’t end perfectly, I enjoyed the best years of my career here.

“I met a lot of wonderful people and I am looking forward to seeing some familiar faces again.”

As for the possibility of taking the reins on a long-term basis, Crompton doesn't want to commit to anything just yet.

“We haven’t spoken about that,” he added. “I have been busy working for myself and doing quite well and it is a big sacrifice in terms of time, even in the amateur game.

“If I get the bug back, then I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of staying on for the summer.”