Shelley boss is looking for celebration and restraint

SHELLEY’S Ash Berry believes managers have it easier further up football’s food chain – especially around turkey and trimmings time.

The experienced boss will send his players into Boxing Day action against Bacup Borough at the Stafflex Arena (3pm) hoping there has been no over-indulgence.

It’s a historic first-ever December 26 date for the Hallmark Security North West Counties League club – and Berry is looking forward to the First Division North clash.

But having last seen his players on Saturday, when Shelley fought out an eventful 4-4 draw at Cleator Moor Celtic, he’d like to have the chance of a pre-match training session.

“I smile to myself when I read about Premier and Football League players having to train on Christmas Day,” says Berry, who is hoping for a season’s-highest gate at the Storthes Hall ground.

“I’d love to be able to have the lads in for a couple of hours, but it would be too much to ask. They already juggle football around work and family, and now we have moved into the North West Counties there is more travelling, so we are asking for even more of their time.

“It’s important the players enjoy themselves over the Christmas period but I’m hoping none of them overdo things!”

At least Berry has plenty of Boxing Day experience from the time he spent in charge of the likes of Bridlington Town, Woodley Sports and Salford City. He became manager of his home-village team a decade ago.

Brent Peters’ stewardship of Bacup goes back even further, with the former Doncaster Rovers assistant manager and Accrington Stanley director of football now in his 21st year at the helm.

In that time, the players who have come and gone include former Huddersfield Town trio Ian Hughes, David May and Ben Thornley.

While Bacup are ninth after beating Carlisle City 3-2, Shelley are up to sixth after sharing the points at Cleator Moor.