25/07

WITH Heanor Town's first serious game of the season due to be played last Tuesday, manager Danny Bryant's biggest problem was that of a goalkeeper.
And for a former goalkeeper - and a good one at that - to have a problem with a goalkeeper really is a dilemma.

He said: "I've got my gloves out ready but I'm hoping to persuade Joe Parlett to play in this first game and hopefully to sign for the season, but failing that I need to find a good goalkeeper quickly."

Bryant has worked hard for the club since being put in temporary charge over a month ago, and with still no applicants forthcoming to fill the vacant manager's position at the Town Ground he looks sure to be in pole position to be confirmed as supremo.

And that for someone who was brought in towards the end of last season as reserve team coach must represent the quickest promotion in football.

The fact that Heanor cannot attract any applications for the position of manager, or any players of quality these days shows just how far down the football ladder the club has slipped.

Indeed, with the advent of the Central Midlands League being further decimated next season with the possible formation of another Step Six League, and the likelihood that Notts, Lincs and Derbyshire clubs will still need to feed into Division One of the Northern Counties East League, the Heanor vommittee may have a further dilemma to face during the course of the season as to how much further they slip down the ladder if new dressing rooms are not provided on the Town Ground.

There is no doubt that the rejection of a place in the inaugural Northern Premier League by the then committee 40 years ago in 1967 started the rot from which Heanor Town has never recovered.

Spiral

Failure to turn the corner and start an upward spiral with a long-awaited promotion at the start of next season could well spell the end for a club which has battled through many a crisis and recovered over its 124-year existence.

Supporters in what has always been described as a 'football town' are getting impatient for better fare, and with that on offer in all the neighbouring Amber Valley and Erewash towns, support for the Lions is likely to dwindle even further unless there are major changes to the outlook.

Bryant, meanwhile, continues to work his socks off for his new club.

He took his new charges to play a Boots Athletic XI last Saturday, winning 2-1 with both goals coming from returning striker Richard Groves; one of which came courtesy of the penalty spot.

Bryant added: "It was a good workout. It was one of those friendlies where you have to chase the ball. Boots teams have a reputation for getting the ball down on the floor and playing.

“The game showed that our fitness levels have to be upped a bit yet but I was very pleased with the performance and attitude of the players."

As mentioned last week, Martin Smith, the former Gedling MW player has put his signature on a form and Bryant said that he would become club captain.