Ossett Town: Reds appoint Black as new boss

Following the departure of Graham Nicholas last week, the Reds have been quick to bring in a replacement in a bid to arrest the team’s worrying run of form in the Evo-Stik First Division North.

Town’s 2-1 loss at home to Radcliffe Borough on Saturday was their ninth successive league loss, leaving them third bottom of the division.

Black will watch the Reds’ Integro Doodson League Cup clash with Darlington 1883 on Tuesday before taking charge for the first time on Saturday, when his new team resume league duties at Burscough.

A statement released by Town said: “The club received more than 20 applicants for the role and, out of four good candidates invited for interview, Black was the unanimous choice of the committee after settling out his proposals and ambitions as manager of Ossett Town.

“Black comes with a wealth of experience and contacts in the professional and non-league game and his last role prior to this appointment was as assistant manager at Matlock Town working with Mark Hume.”

Town chairman James Rogers said: “Grant was up against some very good candidates, but his confident manner and clear vision for the future of the club meant that he was unanimously selected from the candidates available to be appointed as manager.

“I would like to thank Matlock Town for their willingness to not stand in Black’s way has he begins his own management career and I, along with the rest of the committee, look forward to working with our new manager.”

Black said: “I am delighted to be given this opportunity. I have been looking to take the step into management but wanted to wait for the right opportunity before making the leap.

“Obviously it is going to be a difficult run in to the end of the season, but I believe the club has more than enough opportunity to remain in this division this season and then kick-on up the table next season.

“I would like to put on record my thanks to Matlock Town and Mark Hume for the time we have been together. I am looking forward to this new chapter in my career, I can’t wait to get started.”