WHEN Luca Havern called time on his short spell as interim head coach at Bradford Park Avenue before Christmas, he was phoned by a friend.
On the line was Avro boss Alex Frost, who was quick to remind his old teammate of a promise he made to finish his playing career under his management.
“Luca broke my heart last summer so it was personal!” Frost told The NLP with a wry smile. “He said he’d sign for us only to change his mind and stay put after he was offered a coaching role.”
Havern – a hugely popular figure at the Horsfall in two spells with Avenue – admitted he could not envisage continuing at the club without manager Mark Bower and assistant Danny Boshell following their sacking in November.
The pair left Bradford in the Northern Premier League Premier Division’s bottom four with just two wins to their name and at risk of a second successive relegation after dropping down from National League North last season.
Havern stood in temporarily as caretaker. “I did contemplate retiring,” said the 35-year-old.
“But I think Alex had already filled in the signing-on form and so I had no choice. To be fair, I had given him my word.”
Denne historien er fra February 04, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra February 04, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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BRENNAN STINGS 'MOANY' BEES!
FRUSTRATED Dean Brennan has lashed out at the \"miserable, moany\" Barnet boo boys and urged them to get behind the team in their bid for promotion.
ACE REED WAITED TO MAKE A MARK
WHEN Mark Reed sensed his manager turn around to look his way on Tuesday night, he knew what was coming next.
CHURCH HAILS TEENAGE KICKS
DEBUTANT Dan Shaw got his teenage kicks with the rocket that fired Alvechurch to the top of the table.
LEES SO PROUD OF HIS SHAKERS
SUPER Shakers made it 14 games unbeaten this season after easing to victory against struggling NPL outfit Blyth Spartans.
SEVEN-UP A STONES
RONAN Silva turned in a four-star display as Salisbury highlighted the three-division difference in quality against their Wessex Premier opponents.
HORGAN'S RELIEF AT TOWN SIX APPEAL
CHIPPENHAM Town heeded manager Gary Horgan's prematch warning about a potential shock and despatched their Jewson Western League hosts.
BRAD'S LEVELLER RESCUES THE IRON
IN A terrific FA Cup second qualifying round tie, Step 4 Newcastle Town held National League North leaders Scunthorpe at Buckmaster Avenue.
WHING IS SURE IT'S MOOR OF THE SAME
A BRACE from Conor Wilkinson brought Solihull Moors back-to-back National League victories.
MOR'S U'S ARE BACK ON TRACK
SUTTON United got back to winning ways with a wel come victory at Southend United.
DUO GET THEIR JUST REWARDS
ENGLAND legend Stuart Pearce has made surprise appearances at two Trident League clubs to hail a pair of award-winning volunteers who earned national recognition for their inspirational exploits.
