CHRIS PLANS BOLD MOVES AT VILLAGERS

NEW North Ferriby United manager Chris Bolder wants to bring back the local feel to the club – but says safety is the first priority.

Bolder has replaced Steve Housham at the helm after he was sacked by new owner Jamie Waltham.

The former Ferriby player recently completed a takeover of the National League North club from Steve and Eman Foster.

Bolder, who had been assisting Steve Kittrick at Scarborough Athletic, is well known to the Villagers having played 315 times and scored 52 goals in an eight-year spell that coincided with the club’s rise up the Pyramid.

And, long-term, he wants to make plenty of local signings to recreate their success.

“Hull and the East Riding has produced good players over the years over the years so in the long-term we want to include more local players,” Bolder said on the club’s website. “There are good players in the area and they need the opportunity to play at a higher level. For some it will be a step too far but there are others who will thrive and develop.

“North Ferriby was quite unique when I played for them. We had a large number of local lads in the squad. That develops a closeness to the club because players arrive with a sense of belonging and an identity with the club and its fans. Jamie and I feel it is important to try to bring that quality back.”

The immediate task is to halt Ferriby’s free-fall. Relegated last season after just one campaign in Non-League’s top flight, they now find themselves bottom of the National League North. But Bolder sees no reason why they can’t beat the drop.

“The goal for the season is to try to stay in the National League North and we will all be working to achieve that,” he said. “Looking at the league table, it’s a big ask. But I’ve been looking at the recent results for other clubs and there is no reason why we can’t do what Gainsborough, for instance, have done recently, and put a little run together. If we can, that will generate confidence on and off the pitch.”