Rob Hunter shocked by early managerial changes

Darren Hepworth

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
Glasshoughton Welfare manager Rob Hunter admits he is astounded by the number of managerial changes, despite the season being only one month old.
Highly-rated AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth was sensationally sacked on Friday afternoon, even though the reformed club were seventh in the Toolstation NCEL Division One table.
Hepworth joined axed Guiseley boss Steve Kittrick on the list of managerial departures and Hunter said: “In terms of Emley I watched them in pre-season against Harrogate Railway and I thought they were a well-organised team and were going to do well in that league.
“They weren’t far off the pace up to yesterday and they have won today. We don’t know the reason why he has been sacked, but I think if he has been sacked for results then that’s a shocker.
“It is a great club with great facilities. They have a good pitch and a good set of committee members and supporters and to sack your manager so soon into the season is not healthy for football.
“Steve Kittrick’s exit was a shock because Guiseley have done ever so well over the last couple of years.
“They have had a promotion and made the play-offs and they are not a fashionably successful club and I think they have been fighting above their weight for a while in my mind.
“Steve has done very well and to get the sack after six games, I think the Guiseley chairman and committee have messed up. If they didn’t think he was the right person to manage the club then they should have the decision in the summer.
“I believe they should have shown a little more faith in him.”

Steve Kittrick

In the NCEL, after only a month, there has been four manager departures and Hunter believes clubs need to more patient.
“Two managers have gone already and not only managers because there has been a massive turnover of players at different clubs,” he said.
“We’re lost two players and are looking to bring more in. But, the Emley manager has gone and so has the Guiseley manager. There has been a change at Nostell, Maltby and at Winterton and it is unbelievable how clubs set themselves up at the end of the season for the following year.
“The players come in during pre-season and then eight games in to the season it all falls apart and they want a change. The league hasn’t settled down yet, it is a 50-game season with the cups and we’re only 15 or 20% into the season. To have so many changes so early on is terrible.
“If these managers have been sacked at this stage in the season then you have to blame the clubs for not getting it right in pre-season.”
On his team front, Hunter has confirmed the departure of midfielder Dan Middleton, but announced the signing Darol Lucas.
He said: “I’ve got to go out there and try to bring some players in who are going add a bit more strength and a little more enthusiasm than we have at the moment.
“I have signed Darol Lucas on today. He played at Ossett Albion last year and had been training with Farsley. He’s the type of midfield player who is very busy and gets around the pitch well.
“He is a very fit lad and a good character for us so I’m looking forward to having him in the squad on Tuesday against Worksop.”