Atherton Colls manager excited for future ahead of milestone season
Preparations are well underway for Atherton Collieries' milestone 10th successive Northern Premier League campaign, and manager Danny Lafferty was quick to look ahead with his thoughts following the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign.
Lafferty was club captain as the Colls recorded the fifth best defence in the NPL Premier in 2021/22, recording 12 clean sheets in the process, and the now Black & Whites gaffer will be looking to shape the defence in his image in his first full season in the dugout.
Reflecting on a successful year off the pitch for the football club, Lafferty said: “It’s brilliant to see to be honest, the progress off the pitch is just as important as what happens on it, and the club is moving in the right direction.
“The new junior facilities [at Bee Fold Lane], the new player development pathway with Under 18s and 21s, as well as the new women’s side, it all shows real ambition. It’s about building something long term, not just focussing on the here and now.
“For me, it creates a real connection with the community, and gives young players a clear pathway which is massive for the future of the club.
“The ambition is clear: we want to be right up there competing at the top end of the table, and we’ll be looking to have a strong run in the cups as well.
“Work is well underway behind the scenes, we know what we want and we know where we need to improve, and we’ll be bringing in the right players to push us on.
"We’re in a strong starting position, I’m confident we’ll be ready to go next season!”
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