New duo can't wait for big kick-off

The former Accrington Stanley star – who’s been enjoying a break from the game since standing down as Vics boss in December after the club went into administration – is raring to go again after being named as the successor to John Deacey and Neil Parsley following their surprise departures from the EVO-STIK NPL First Division North play-off winners at the start of the week.

Pictured following his appointment at Throstle Nest on Wednesday with his new number two, former Farsley Celtic favourite Mark Bett, the UEFA A coach succeeded Jim Gannon at Vics in January 2016 before the club’s financial troubles led to his departure.

The 33-year-old, who played a key role in former EVO-STIK NPL club Curzon Ashton winning back-to-back promotions to National League North in 2015 before coaching at Blackburn and making his first ill-fated move into management - told fans he was determined to make the most of his second chance at an “historic” Non-League club like Farsley Celtic.

Lakeland told the club's website: “I've had a while out of football since then [leaving Northwich] and watched a lot of football. I got the chance of a move to come to come to Farsley and in fairness it was a no brainer.

“This is an historic Non-League football club and I cannot wait to get started. This is a great football club. I have been so impressed with what everyone has had to say and I can't wait to get going.

"I can't see a massive change within the current squad. It is strange coming into a situation where you have a team that has just won promotion and you have to take them on, but it will be a great challenge.”

He added: “I want to keep the basis of this great squad together. I know that there will be a few that want to move on, and we will want to bring a couple in, but that's it. I honestly can't wait to get going and I will be speaking with the squad over the next few days.”

New assistant manager Bett, no stranger to the club having played for Farsley in two spells, added: “I am very happy to be back at Farsley Celtic. I have been here in so many good times. I was here aged twenty and here I am back at 35!

“I've had some great times at Farsley and I worked with Adam at Northwich. I got the phone call on Monday and its all been very quick, but I can't wait to get going.”

Farsley’s chief executive officer Josh Greaves and the club’s owner John Palmer moved swiftly to replace Deacey and Parsley after they stood down on Sunday and Monday respectively, less than 72 hours after celebrating promotion at Celtic's end of season awards last Friday night.

Greaves told thetelegraphandargus.co.uk: “It’s come very quickly but at this time of the season, when the players are all in limbo and getting calls from everywhere, John and I knew that we had to be decisive.

"Mark has worked with Adam as a player at Curzon and as his assistant at Northwich, so they do have an understanding. Overall, we’re delighted to have them and we’re very excited about the coming season in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Premier Division.”

Image courtesy of farsleyceltic.com

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