Hilton chosen to lead Steels back

Stocksbridge Park Steels have appointed Chris Hilton as their new manager.

Hilton’s appointment at the Look Local Stadium was announced at 2pm on Thursday by club officials who’ve been looking for a new manager to lead them into next season since parting company with Darren Schofield nearly two weeks ago.

The manager of NCEL side Worsborough Bridge for the last four years, Hilton, pictured after signing on with Stocksbridge Park Steels Chairman Allen Bethel, has a wealth of experience of the Evo-Stik NPL having played well over 600 games over 11 seasons with local rivals Frickley Athletic.

Hilton also turned out for Belper Town and Sheffield FC and spent one season at Steels as a player. He took the helm at the Briggers at the beginning of 2010 season after the club finished bottom of NCEL Division One the previous campaign.

His side have improved every season since. In his final campaign at Park Road, they finished with 73 points from 42 games and have only lost four times at home in two and half years. During the 2012-13 season they went undefeated at home all year.

Bethel believes they have found the right man to see the club quickly bounce back from relegation from the Evo-Stik NPL's top flight.

He said: "We are delighted that Chris has accepted the post, he is an enthusiastic young manager who will believe will turn the club around and have us challenging for promotion in the near future.

"We were amazed at the response with well over 30 people applying for the job, it was impossible to interview everyone but we would like to thank all the applicants for their interest."

Hilton has appointed the experienced Mark Wilson as his assistant manager. Wilson, who played more than 900 Non-League games for the original Emley side and a number of other clubs including Worksop Town and Belper, was one of the stars of the Emley team who famously took on West Ham in the FA Cup’s Third Round.