Time right for a move - Halford

FOOTBALL:

AFTER a season and a half in charge of Mossley, Steve Halford simply felt the time was right to move to Ashton United once the opportunity arose.

Halford, (32), took over as player-manager at Seel Park mid-way through the 2011-12 season.

The Lilywhites were hovering precariously above the Evo-Stik Division One North drop zone at the time, but Halford guided the team to a respectable 14th place and Manchester Premier Cup triumph.

Last season was even more impressive, with Mossley reaching the promotion play-offs and retaining the Premier Cup.

But once Ashton came calling with a chance to joint-manage at Premier Division level at Hurst Cross with Paul Phillips, the temptation was too great.

“It was a big decision for me to leave Mossley,” said Halford. “Everybody at Seel Park has been tremendous with me from day one, so once I’d spoken to Ashton I really had to mull over their offer.

“I felt it was too good an opportunity to turn down. Obviously Ashton are in a league higher - I’ve always said I want to try and manage as high up the leagues as I possibly can. This just felt like the right move for me at exactly the right time.”