Thackley joint manager Dave Morgan lays down challenge to players

Damian Hopkins

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
Thackley joint-boss Dave Morgan has laid down challenge to his players – let’s start competing with the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division big-boys.

Morgan returned to manage Thackley in May with Lee Clapham sharing the role after two years away from Dennyfield.

Thackley have won the NCEL League Cup for the last two seasons, but finished tenth in both campaigns under Vince Brockie and Morgan wants an assault on the top four.

“I said to them before the game on Saturday that this team has probably been together for five seasons,” he said.

“We know what the league is about so we have to start making strides and be challenging the likes of Brid and the Worksop Parramore’s.
“There is not a lot of money around at Thackley. They do get paid, but it is something of nothing.

“We have got the camaraderie and what we have done this season is we have under 17s and under 19s and we have all trained together and we have all played together.

“60 lads turned up for training which is huge so I think the team spirit is back to where it should be.”

Thackley have made two signings during the summer – Mike Garrod has returned to the club from Silsden and Damian Hopkins has joined from Harrogate Railway.

While Morgan admitted that not many changes were needed, he felt he needed to put the players under a rigorous fitness regime during pre-season.

“We’ve kept more-or-less the same team with one-or-two additions, but those one-or-two additions have been at the club before and have just come back,” he said.

“I have watched them a lot over the last two seasons and I just felt they weren’t fit enough in my opinion. We’ve trained really hard and I think it proved it in the last few minutes at Garforth.
“That is what we have changed. The philosophy is the same – pass, pass, pass and go long if we need to.”

When he stepped down in May 2011, Morgan cited work commitments as the reason so it was a shock when he was reappointed.

However, he admits the presence of Clapham made his return possible.

“I’m enjoying it after two years out and it was Lee Clapham who talked me into coming back,” he said.

“He was really keen and he does all the organisation and ringing around. I turn up and tell them what to do! I oversee the training and the fitness side.

“I don’t think (I would have been able to do it without him) as it is hard work on your own. I more-or-less did everything last time.

“Lee does a good job and he’s so enthusiastic, it is unbelievable.”