Latics restored my belief in football - Lockwood

ADAM LOCKWOOD: Boss role

POPULAR former Athletic defender Adam Lockwood has traded life on the pitch for a place in the dug-out, writes JOSHUA DAINTY.

Lockwood (35) has been in charge at non-league Guiseley AFC for five months - his first role in management.

MEMORIES

The ex-Doncaster Rovers, Bury and Athletic man has fond memories of his time at SportsDirect.com Park, saying it helped him with his move into the hot-seat.

It also rekindled his love for the game.

He said: "I left Bury and at the time I'd become a bit disillusioned with football - I lost a bit of belief.

"When I went there (Oldham) it was like a breath of fresh air really, a great club, with some really great people.

"I had a great time and it restored my belief in football.

"I got my passion back and to do that when you're coming to the end of your career as well, it was great."

Injury meant Lockwood only made 19 appearances for Athletic, but his professionalism and performances for the club earned him the 'Spirit of Oldham Award' at the end of the 2013-14 season. It honoured the player who made the biggest impact for the club during that season.

He was named club captain at the start of the 2014-15 campaign and later was part of an interim coaching team featuring Dean Holden and Tony Philliskirk.

Lockwood, at the helm of Vanarama National League outfit Guiseley AFC, has had a mixed start to his managerial career.

At home, Guiseley are unbeaten in six games. However, they have only taken three points from 13 games on their travels.

Explaining the challenges of trying to emulate his success from a player to a manager, Lockwood said: "I think having a long, successful career, you're prepared for different things.

"There have been little surprises, but nothing major.

"It's stuff that I knew happened, problems I knew would occur. Sometimes they come a bit more regularly, but nothing has really surprised me too much."

While it's clear Lockwood relished his time with Athletic and holds that part of career close to his heart, what remains to be seen is if he can go the distance in the tough and unpredictable industry of football management.