Chadderton managers up for the challenge

GEARING UP: New Chadderton FC joint-managers Steve Patterson (left) and Mark Cook (centre), with new assistant manager Ben Greenidge.

Non-league football: NEWLY-appointed joint-managers Steve Patterson and Mark Cook have targeted a top-half finish for Chadderton in the North-West Counties League First Division next season.

After five years of progress under former boss Paul Buckley, the Broadway outfit largely disappointed last season in 12th place.

Buckley was forced to quit on doctor’s advice, so now Patterson and Cook will hope to continue his good work.

Patterson, Buckley’s assistant for five years, is under no illusion about the scale of the task: “It’s going to be a tough league next season,” he said. “We can’t afford to pay anyone while teams that finished below us are giving players anything up to £30. That makes it that much more difficult fo the likes of us.”

But Patterson and Cook are positive about their chances. This weekend sees the return of pre-season training and nine new players have promised to take part, alongside 30 more who had aleady pledged allegiance to the team.

“We’re feeling positive and hopefully we can hit the ground running next season,” Paterson said.

Chadderton have five friendlies arranged, starting on July 13 against Curzon Ashton.