By James Grayson
Officials and supporters of Ossett Albion rejoiced this week after they were given a surprise reprieve from relegation to the Northern Counties East League.
However, could the good news leave the club’s master-plan in ruins?
Long serving manager Eric Gilchrist, who was also chairman for 18 months, announced his resignation after ten years back in March to allow the club time to find his successor.
Gilchrist stepped down after a second successive bottom two finish in the Evo Stik First Division North.
Their struggles were mainly due to severe financial constraints – the only reason Gilchrist took on the additional duties of being chairman was because of concerns the club wouldn’t complete the 2009-10 campaign.
Gilchrist steadied the ship off-the-field and felt the time was right to let a new man take the wheel.
He left to a hero’s farewell at the end of the season and said he believed the club should appoint someone with a coaching background to bring through Ossett’s youngsters into the first team.
Albion has history when it comes to developing youth players.
The most recent example: Dave Syers, Bradford City player’s player of the season and leading scorer in his first season at Valley Parade.
Stephen Downes, who most notably played for Farsley Celtic, started his career at Ossett before Gilchrist helped him move to Football League side Grimsby Town.
You can also go back to the mid-1980s when future Bradford PA and Ossett Town boss Gary Brook went from Albion to the League to play for Newport County.
In 2011, Ossett have a number of young players breaking through and the club listened to Gilchrist by appointing Lloyd Fellows and Paul Watson as joint bosses of the first team.
The pair had been running the reserve team with success for a few seasons - most recently winning the Lancashire League Cup.
The appointment was made when the club were getting ready to play in the NCEL Premier and the youngsters looked set to be given their chance.
Albion also had far more local games to look forward to, meaning less travelling and reduced coach bills.
But, Ossett may have to change the plan and the big decision is whether their youngsters are ready to compete against the likes of AFC Fylde and Skelmersdale – two teams determined to smash the cash around to win promotion.
Ossett also have to decide whether to pay for experienced players to avoid a third relegation in a row, if the youngsters are deemed to not be ready.
A move which would stretch their limited finances.
One saving grace is the local derbies with Wakefield and the old enemy Ossett Town – a game likely to attract hundreds of people.
But, if by October and Ossett are going to go the same way as last season, surely they will wish they were in the NCEL, challenging near the top.
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