Martin Powell - The First Interview

This Sunday, Martin Powell will be managing Town Ladies for the first time against South Shields and looking to cement their place at the top of the North East Regional Women’s Football League.

But before a ball is kicked under his tenure, the new gaffer sat down to talk about his new role and immediately had thanks for those who came before him.

"It was a big shock both Jon Maloney and Ben Sadler stepping down, but I’d just like to say what an unbelievable job that both have done in the past four years.

"Jon has been here since the start, he’s overseen two promotions and a County Cup Semi-final and if you look at where the squad is now to where it started it really is a fantastic achievement.

"I’d just like to place on record a massive thanks to Jon, he’s the one who invited me down but also a big thank you to Ben Sadler and Ged Maloney who during my time as a coach here have done fantastic work on and off the pitch.’’

Moving onto speaking of his new role, the former Wetherby Athletic Manager and Harrogate Railway FC Assistant seemed excited about his new task within the Ladies set up.

"My role in the team will change massively now, I helped a bit last season but have come fully onboard this campaign as a coach mainly just helping Jon and Ben out, taking the warmups and other things.

"Now I am the Manager, the responsibilities are on my shoulders. I’ll be picking the team and picking the tactics, whereas before I didn’t have that responsibility.

"It's a big job but one I’m looking forward to and as I’ve said to the girls I’ll give it my all until the end of the season.’’

Martin or ‘Powelly’ finished off his first interview in his new role by giving a cautious assessment of how he thinks the rest of the campaign under his leadership will pan out.

"If I’m honest I’m not sure, we’ve lost two players this season to other teams and lost two players to long-term injury, so the squad now is very thin.

"I have had to dip into the Development squad, last week away at Farsley we had three 16-year olds on the bench. That is great on one hand, but on the other not ideal that we can’t gradually ease them into the first team, but we’re lucky to have the development squad there to utilise if needed.

"It’s going to be tough I think we’ve got five league games left and a county cup semi-final so ideally no more injuries would be fantastic, but I’ll worry about that if it happens.’

‘’I love football, whether its paid or voluntary, I love coaching and I’ll give it my all until the end of the season.’’

By Isaac Martin