Brier and Attwood Step Down
4th May, 2011
Brighouse Town have today agreed to accept the resignations of manager Mark Brier and coach Darren Attwood.
When the duo were appointed three years ago, to take charge in Town's first season in the NCEL, their brief was simply to establish the club at this level of the football pyramid.
After a creditable 15th position finish in that first season, they guided the club to promotion to the NCEL Premier Division in only its second season at this level - a fantastic achievement in a highly competitive league.
After a bright start to their first season in the Premier Division, which also saw the club involved in the FA Cup for the first time in its history and some disruptions both on and off the field, a 16th placed finish was achieved.
They also oversaw the creation of their U19 Academy side and nurtured several youngsters through into the first team squad.
Their hard work, dedication and professionalism have established Brighouse Town as a respected NCEL side and they have left a fantastic legacy for the club to move forward in the future.
Brighouse have placed on record their recognition and thanks for the superb job the pair have done in their time in charge and also to their wives and families for their understanding of the huge amount of time and commitment both men have put into the job.
Mark Brier said today: "When we first took the job, we promised to facilitate a player development structure at the club, along with the recruitment of a blend of quality young and experienced players that would help improve and establish the club's first and reserve team playing contingent at the new level.
"I believe we achieved all this and more, with the first team and the club's U19s and reserve teams now competitive and definitely underpinning the club's football future.
"The calibre of players, including more than a dozen U19s that have played for the first team and reserves when needed, has certainly been of a high standard.
"And, whilst results have not all gone as well as we would have hoped, a promotion-winning squad was put together last July and, albeit for a shorter time than we all anticipated, the club was definitely positioned for a possible tilt at a successive promotion this time but due to extreme circumstances, we were unable to achieve this.
"Even for people to be considering this, within three seasons of where the club was when Darren and I were appointed, we should all be proud of this achievement and I think we can certainly say we delivered everything that was asked.
"I'm certain the club will get to the level it is capable of at some stage. It is a town club and, with the right investment, it has potential so I'm sure the job will be sought after.
"I'll be thanking people at the club individually but I'd just like to go on record with my personal thanks to Darren, Simon Wood, Rick Addy, Daz Laycock and Phil Baker and every player that has pulled a Brighouse Town shirt on for their contributions this season and in previous years.
"I'd also like to thank Sophie Box, Matt McArdle, Brian Brooks and Emz Morrison for providing physio and medical support.
"All these people have had to work, train and play in sometimes extremely difficult circumstances and my thanks go out to all of them."
(Story Source: Brighouse Town)
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