CURTIS GLOVES UP FOR LIFE IN DUGOUT

CURTIS WOODHOUSE is back in football after he was confirmed as Bridlington Town’s new manager.

The former Sheffield FC and Goole boss applied to take over at Altrincham, but he is back in Step 5 after being handed the job at the Northern Counties East League side.

Woodhouse, a player at Birmingham City, Sheffield United and Grimsby, replaces Gary Allanson, who resigned earlier in the week.

Brid chairman Peter Smurthwaite didn’t hang around and offered the former pro boxer the chance within a day of the hot seat being vacated.

Smurthwaite said: “I was informed by Gary earlier this week that with regret Gary wanted to offer his resignation as first team manager.

“He explained his reasons – which were mainly personal – and he also felt he had taken the club as far as he can in this his second stint as manager.

“I fully understand his reasons, which with him being such a conscientious and professional person and the time needed to manage a club at this level seems to get greater every year.

“The season seems to start earlier every season meaning you only have a very short close season before training and friendlies start again.

“Our fixture list has been so intense with a fair amount of travelling with us having a midweek fixture every week since the August 7, a situation I have never experienced before as chairman.”

The club’s slow start to the season has them sitting in 15th, but Woodhouse feels he can get the team up the table.

“I am pleased that we have moved quickly to replace Gary to keep the continuity of the football side and I have appointed Curtis Woodhouse to take over as manager with immediate effect,” the chairman added.

“Curtis has previously managed Sheffield FC, Goole AFC and Hull United and had a successful professional football career.

“He also has previous connections with Bridlington.”