DAVE Birch and Mike Norton remember vividly the first training session they fronted as joint managers of a struggling team close to five years ago.
New Mills had lost six successive matches at the start of the 2019-20 campaign, shipping 25 goals, when the duo answered a distress call from Ray Coverley, the club's chairman.
"There's no script," Birch told The NLP.
"What we'd achieved during a decent career as players went out of the window, and I wasn't sure those lads even knew who we were!
"They probably thought we were deluded because I stood in front of the group and said we don't get beat again from here."
The pair, revered by supporters at Curzon Ashton and FC United of Manchester for their contributions on the field, have come a long way since.
After guiding Abbey Hey back to the North West Counties League (NWCFL) top flight last season, securing promotion in impressive fashion as play-off winners, they were offered the job at Avro.
Number one
Denne historien er fra June 23, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra June 23, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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CURRAN HAUNTS NASH 3 AGAIN! FER FOOTBAL GROUP
Savage delight as Macc hold nerve
WILL'S BRACE SPOT ON FOR LIONS'TITLE BID
WILL Longbottom's second-half brace from the penalty spot saw Guiseley beat Hebburn Town - a result which saw them leapfrog the Hornets in the play-off places.
CLARKE ENJOYS INSTANT IMPACT!
Returning boss sees Reds clinch late win
JACKSON STUNNER BOOSTS CLARETS
FARNHAM Town staged a second-half fightback to further cement their position at the top of the Isthmian South Central.
WELLIES ARE ON THE UP AGAIN!
THE terrible Coronavirus outbreak decimated Non-League football in many ways.
BRETT BAGS A QUICK SWITCH
Munyard joins Jammers after Regent
BEES HIT BACK IN CAPITAL THRILLER
NICKE Kabamba scored two penalties inside three second-half minutes as high-flying Barnet fought back to edge out London rivals Dagenham & Redbridge in a seven-goal thriller at Victoria Park.
NOR'S THE MERRIER FOR LATICS
SLICK Oldham Athletic cantered to a resounding victory over Tamworth - but boss Micky Mellon and his management are still demanding more!
JOE'S GOT ROBINS IN THE ZONE!
FREE-SCORING Altrincham made it five matches unbeaten as they comfortably beat struggling Southend United to close in on the playoff spots.
SHAYMEN ARE HOTI TO TROT
TEN-MAN Yeovil Town found FC Halifax unbreachable Town despite concerted efforts as the Shaymen edged this battle of National League play-off contenders at Huish Park.
