CURZON Ashton manager Craig Mahon is aiming to achieve what his predecessors have failed to accomplish despite their best attempts in previous years – promotion into the National League.
And the 34-year-old knows what it takes to execute the plan, having played a role in Altrincham’s promotion to the top tier of non-league football in 2020.
Three years have since passed and, despite a change in clubs and circumstances, Craig is relishing the prospect of proving the doubters wrong and writing his name into the Curzon history books – just as he did whilst playing for Chester after racking up the all-time appearance record for the Seals in 2017.
Speaking to The Correspondent about life so far in the dugout, Craig said: “I feel like I’ve had to adapt personally and professionally to deal with management.
“How to deal with man management and the emotions that come with it have been a real eye opener, but it’s been a fantastic experience so far and it’s all credit to the lads in the dressing room, along with Mark Bradshaw, Jack Salkeld and Kieran Bentley.
“We’ve done well recently and want to keep that mentality in the dressing room to achieve our aim, which is to be there or there abouts come the end of the season.”
Having been thrust into the managerial role following Adam Lakeland’s departure to King’s Lynn Town in September, Craig has settled into the role with relative ease and continued the fine form established by his predecessor.
But, after winning his first four games in all competitions, Craig was brought back down to earth with three consecutive league defeats and elimination from the FA Cup first round to Barnet.
Although the dip in form was a cause for concern, Craig wanted to vindicate his self-belief and reward the trust and loyalty of the chairman and board of directors.
Recent results have certainly proved that, as a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions has catapulted the club into the play-off scenario and confirmed their place in the FA Trophy third round against Macclesfield, which is taking place on home soil this Saturday.
The game itself is a chance to continue the fine run of form but, perhaps more importantly, prove their worth against a heavily financed Macclesfield side which makes no secret of its aim to climb divisions in quick succession.
Commenting on the contrast between the clubs financially, Craig said: “Everybody seems to have this mentality of ‘little old Curzon’.
“That’s brilliant for us because it gives us that fire in the belly to prove them wrong and make a statement. That’s something we’ve done numerous times this year – we’re not just a number in this league and we’re here to do something special.
“There may be less pressure from onlookers and supporters, but we certainly put pressure on ourselves in the form of maintaining high standards. The players can control work rate and hunger – that’s what we have in mind every time we step onto the pitch.
“We’ve done our homework on Macclesfield, just as we would do with any game we enter. It doesn’t matter who we play against as we have the same attitude to go out and win. They have the resources that we don’t – we’re well aware of that – but it’s a cup game and anything can happen. The lads in the dressing room are a fantastic bunch that I’ve got to know even more personally since taking on this role. If we can play to the same standard as the previous seven games then we’re in with a good shout.
“I think, in a way, we embrace the underdog status as it fuels us to prove ourselves in every single game.
Although attention is firmly fixed on this weekend’s FA Trophy clash, the bigger picture, in the grand scheme of things, is what matters most to the club.
Put simply, Curzon are hungry to play football at a higher level and raise their profile across a national scale.
Equipped with memories that will last a lifetime, Craig wants the same for his group of players and the club’s small, but extremely loyal fan base.
And Craig’s devotion to the club’s goal has been proven on numerous occasions this season – none more so than when he withdrew himself from the FA Cup tie against Barnet. He said: “Everybody sets their targets high, including ourselves, so we’ll keep plodding on until the last game of the season and see where we are at when that moment arrives.
“I dropped myself for the FA Cup game against Barnet – the biggest of the season – as I felt my performance wasn’t good in enough in the previous fixture against Chester. I hope that showed the lads what I’m about and the mentality I have managing this club.
“We’re all on the same page and have one goal in mind – but it will take consistency and the same level of dedication as we’ve shown recently to lead us there.”
If Craig is to write his name into Curzon folklore, he’ll need to make home advantage count from now until the end of the season.
And what better venue to play attractive, passing football than at the Tameside Stadium.
Commenting on the efforts of head groundsman Justin Pickering – who recently won a prestigious award for his efforts in maintaining the pitches at Stockport County – Craig said: “I don’t know how he does it – the pitch is an absolute carpet.
“It’s by far one of the best pitches I’ve had the opportunity to play on. That’s credit to the work he puts in on a weekly basis.
“I want our lads to play good, passing football, so having a pitch of that quality suits us to an absolute tee. The visiting teams will no doubt love playing at the Tameside Stadium as well, but I do believe that it suits us more than anyone as it fits our style perfectly and gives us the best chance to put on a show.”