Welsh chosen to boss Ossett United

The appointment of Welsh was announced on Thursday as rivals Ossett Albion and Ossett Town push ahead with joint plans to merge this summer and he prepared his side to take on Ramsbottom United in EVO-STIK League North at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.

Announced in March after the clubs submitted a formal application to the FA and NPL, the proposal will see Oxford United playing their home games at Ingfield with the rest of the new club’s reserves, youth and ladies sides using Dimple Wells as their base. More details of a new website – www.ossettunited.com – along with pre-season plans, season tickets, membership and the club’s new kit are expected to be released before the end of the current campaign.

The Unicorns have only lost three games and taken 28 points since Welsh took the helm in November and he told fans of both clubs he couldn’t wait to get started after beating Ossett Town boss Lee Ashforth to the post.

Welsh, pictured, said: “"I am delighted to be offered the role and look forward very much to such an exciting project. Recruitment and pre-season plans are already at the top of my agenda and I will be working hard to build a team who can deliver the expected results next season. For now, I must concentrate on the job in hand and that is taking my side to Ramsbottom this evening and preparing for the visit of South Shields this weekend."

Ossett United’s chief executive Phil Smith said "We discussed the expectations and the plans for the club with Andy Welsh and Lee Ashforth in great detail and both managers showed extreme understanding of the job requirements and what we were asking of them.

“We looked at many different facets of both managers backgrounds, ability and results and ultimately we are satisfied that we have chosen the right person. We wish Lee Ashforth all the very best and he has been nothing short of professional and honest during this period."

For more information, email admin@ossettunited.com or follow @OssettUnited on Twitter.

Image courtesy of @OssettAlbion/Twitter

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