NASH CHIEF’S GOT A CUNN-ING PLAN
STEVE CUNNINGHAM reckons he has taken on the “toughest job in National League North” after being tasked with leading Curzon Ashton next season.
The 40-year-old was unveiled as the new Nash chief this week, replacing Mark Bradshaw, after learning his trade in six successful years at Colne FC. Cunningham earned himself legend status at Holt House after leading Colne to the North West Counties League title in 2014 and establishing the club in the Northern Premier League at Step 4.
Now he’s got the opportunity to test himself higher, and he knows it won’t be an easy task.
“I’m fully aware that I’ve been given this opportunity because I’ve done well on a limited budget in the past,” Cunningham told The NLP.
Reflect
“I know that this is the toughest job in the National League North when looking at competing with the majority of teams at this level, but I could not turn down the opportunity to manage this great, family club.
“I decided to resign from my position at Colne because I wanted to be available for a role further up the ladder. I received offers from a number of clubs almost immediately but with all due respect to I wanted to see if there would be approaches from higher up the pyramid.
“There was a list of clubs that I felt I could work with and help to improve, one of those was Curzon Ashton. So when the chance to speak to the board came up I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.”
Although the odds were against them, the Nash comforfably steered clear of the relegation dogfight before the season was curtailed, but Cunningham knows it will take a huge effort, both on and off the field, to keep the club afloat at that level.
“I’m going to change the recruitment policy,” he vowed. “Recruitment will change the culture and the culture will change the mentality. Aiming for survival always leaves a chance of relegation, so we need to look at improving our position of late and to do that we need to change those three things.
“Covid-19 has hurt clubs at every level and players are going to have to be more realistic when it comes to money. So, my message is, if you love the romance of being the underdog, join the journey with us. Let’s roll our sleeves up and make some noise!”