Same again, please

Chadderton FC co-manager Mark Cook

FOOTBALL: A SUPERB end to last season means Chadderton hope to hit the ground running when the new North-West Counties League First Division season starts tomorrow.

Under the guidance of joint managers Mark Cook and Steve Patterson, Chadderton produced a late surge last term, sealing a place in the promotion play-offs.

Though they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Darwen, a final sixth place was considered a big success.

Everyone at Chadderton will be keen to go one better in 2016 and seal automatic promotion -, but for now a decent start to the new season is high on the agenda.

Cook said: “We’ll take good momentum into the season now. We’ve added a few players to the squad and we’ve got good competition in all positions — it’s looking positive again.. If we can stay injury free and get off to a good start, I reckon we can get on a roll. We will be difficult to beat.”

Chadderton open with a potentially tricky home tie against St Helens Town, relegated from the Premier Division in April. A trip to Cheadle Town follows on Wednesday.

“The lads are quietly confident,” added Cook. “They’ve talked a lot about how they finished last season and how they want to start this season, and Steve and I keep emphasising how crucial it is to get a good start. Thankfully we’ve retained everyone, which is good, and there are exciting young players coming through.”

With a no budget for players, Cook and Patterson have been scouring local leagues and the club’s own junior set-up. Niall Sultan is one young striker with huge potential. He had a breakthrough season at Chadderton last term and grabbed goals for Failsworth Athletic in the Oldham Sunday League.

“Liam Wood is a great prospect too. He’s still on the fringes and he’s still got a bit of developing to do, but he’s made an impression in pre-season fixtures. “Macauley Harewood is another. He’s been a revelation at right back in warm-up games.”

Only time will tell if Chadderton can build on last season’s success, but prospects like bright on and off the pitch; the club recently signed a new 35-year lease on the Andrew Street ground to ensure stabilty for decades to come.