BEESLEY READY TO PICK UP MANTLE

MARK BEESLEY says it took less than 15 minutes talking to Warrington Town chairman Toby Macormac to take the job – after predecessor Paul Carden urged him to finish what they’d started.

Beesley, 40, has been a big part of the Wire’s recent successes as Carden’s assistant.

The former Cambridge United team-mates will now take separate paths after Carden was appointed AFC Telford boss.

And Beesley feels stepping up to be No.1 is the natural progression for everyone at the NPL Premier club.

Beesley told The NLP: “When he first told me I wasn’t sure what to do – it was more Paul sitting me down and saying, ‘You must stay, you must carry it on’. We had a good discussion about it.

“Obviously we work well together and, in an ideal world, we would carry on working together. It wasn’t meant to be for a variety of reasons.

“So it was him who really put the thought in my head. Then when I spoke to the chairman I was like, ‘This fits, I feel like I’m ready’.

“It happened very quickly. Within 15 minutes of talking to the chairman on Sunday it was, ‘Right, let’s go. Let’s carry on and push on again’.

“I know from being a player not too long ago, clarity is so important. The lads got clarity on that Sunday afternoon. The response I’ve had has been good, they all seem pleased.”

Beesley says he’ll miss his close mate but feels fully prepared to take the mantle five years after taking charge of Burscough.

“I was very young when I took over at Burscough for a year,” he said. “You make mistakes and you learn from it.

“I left and went with Paul quite quickly and have learnt loads from him. I don’t think you’ve always got all the tools but I’m ready for it.”