CHRIS Willcock has vowed to create an imprint and leave a legacy after being appointed Stalybridge Celtic’s new manager.
The 52-year-old PE teacher, who lives in Stalybridge, said he has been given a “competitive budget” and he cannot wait to get started as he bids to bring back the good times to Bower Fold.
“The club has been on a downward curve for too many years, I am looking to put smiles on faces and for everyone to enjoy their football again by watching a competitive side,” he explained.
“I want to create an imprint and leave a legacy, whenever that might me, and everyone to look back to it being a happy time.”
Willock, who succeeded Simon Haworth who resigned after four years as Celtic manager, could not be more local as he lives little more than a goal kick from Bower Fold and admitted it was a dream to manage the club he used to watch from the terraces.
“I have a three-minute walk to the ground as opposed to a 300-mile round trip to Workington,” he mused after earlier this month leaving the Cumbria club.
He remembers Celtic playing in the Conference (National League) and National League North and having enjoyable times watching them.
“You can question whether we will get back to those heights, but the chairman (Rob Gorski) is an ambitious man and I have been given a competitive budget,” he continued.
“I want the club to be challenging at the top end of the table because we have been at the other end far too long.”
Willcock was appointed days after he left Workington Town who were pipped by Warrington Rylands for the Northern Premier League, west division title on the last day of the season.
Town’s 1-1 draw at bottom-club Market Drayton meant they lost out by one point and were subsequently beaten in the play-offs by Marine after which Willcock was told his contract would not be renewed.
Willock said: “I was disappointed as we should have won promotion on the last day when we hit the woodwork four times, missed a penalty, one on ones and free headers.
“It was a difficult one to take and I would happily have stayed another season to try and rectify what has happened but was not given the opportunity.
“Out of adversity comes positives and I have the job of managing my home-town club which has lifted my spirits.”
Willcock has an impressive CV as a player, coach and manager.
He was a striker who had two spells at Mossley, and also played for Salford City, Altrincham, Ramsbottom, Winsford and Woodley Sports.
Celtic are the 10th club Willcock has managed after he started out as player-boss at Salford City. He has since managed Winsford United, Woodley Sports, Mossley, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Glossop North End, Shaw Lane Aquaforce, Ramsbottom and Workington.
Willcock, who holds the UEFA A licence, has also been head of youth at Rochdale and coached at Stockport County’s centre of excellence and Manchester City’s academy.
Originally from Worsley, Willock moved to Stalybridge 27 years ago after meeting his wife who is from the town which became his adopted home.
He has been a PE teacher at Cheadle Hulme Primary for the last four years having previously been in the same role at Manor Green Academy, Denton, for 18 years.
Willcock’s assistant will be former Celtic player Lincoln Adams who was part of his coaching staff when he managed Ramsbottom and before that he played for him at Glossop.
Adams, a retired central defender, is well known in Tameside having also played for Hyde United and Ashton United as well as for Halifax Town, Wakefield Trinity and Glossop.
Celtic had 30 applicants including from former Premier League footballers and one from New Zealand.
They were whittled down to a shortlist of six from which three were interviewed.
Mr Gorski explained why Willcock was the standout candidate, explaining: “Chris has a tremendous CV which includes taking Glossop to Wembley, the dream of every non-league chairman, in the FA Vase.
“He took unfashionable Ramsbottom to second place in the league below us and has also managed in National League North at Shaw Lane Aquaforce and been challenging at the top end of the table with pretty much every club he has managed.
“Chris has a very clear, steely determination, knows exactly what he wants and is setting about trying to get it.
“What happens over the white line is key, but his actions off the pitch so far have been outstanding. He is positive, dynamic, his training techniques are modern and different, all the things we need.”
Mr Gorski disputed some of the claims Howarth made in his radio interview.
He explained: “I accept everyone’s right to freedom of speech and Simon is entitled to his opinions, but some of the factual points he made contained a lot of inaccuracies.
“The wage bill was increased by 30 per cent last season and it did not get cut two third of the way through the season as was suggested.
“Simon referred to a lack of a plan, but I met him at The Emporium, Clitheroe, and he was fully aware of out plans and was excited by them.
“I am surprised he seems to have forgotten the two-hour conversation we had.
“It is important for the fans to know the truth and not to take everything Simon has said as gospel.”
Mr Gorski called for everyone at the club to unite under Willcock.
He said: “I hope the fans come on board with Chris. Let’s get everyone united, positive and focus on a new chapter and push on to success.
“If we are divided, we will not succeed – look at Manchester United over the last few years.”
Haworth was contacted for an interview but did not reply.
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