Willcock New Steels Boss

South Yorkshire's top nonleague side Stocksbridge Park Steels are pleased to announce that Chris Willcock has agreed to become the club's new manager with immediate effect and will be in charge of team affairs at Saturday's home game with Hednesford Town.

Willcock is well known on the Evo-Stik league scene having previously managed at Mossley and more recently Woodley Sports following a short stint as Stalybridge Celtic's Assistant Manager, he also assisted Keith Hill at Rochdale. Chris becomes only the Steels seventh manager since the club was formed in 1986 taking over from Gary Marrow

A clearly delighted Willcock said "I would like to take this opportunity to firstly thank the Chairman and committee for giving me this excellent opportunity to be a part of Stocksbridge PS, and at the same time assure them that I will do my utmost to continue the forward momentum of the recent weeks. I am excited about the challenge ahead. I am very proud that the club have shown confidence in me. As a player I used to grab each and every chance that came my way and this is what I’ll be doing with the opportunity offered to me here at Stocksbridge PS".

Former first team coach Darren Schofield has been appointed assistant manager. Willcock confirmed his appointment saying "I would like to thank Darren Schofield for the work that he has already started over the last five games, instilling confidence and belief back into the players after a run of bad results. I am delighted to announce that Darren has decided to stay and be part of the management team as my number two for the foreseeable future and I am looking forward to working closely with him to maintain what Darren has started".

Photo L to R : Brett Lovell (captain), Chris Willcock, Allen Bethell (chairman)