Grant Black steps into management with Ossett Town

GRANT BLACK has left his role as assistant manager at Matlock Town to become relegation-threatened Ossett Town’s new boss.

Black will take charge of his first game on Saturday when the Reds travel to Burscough and replaces Graham Nicholas who was sacked last week.

Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Radcliffe Borough made it nine league defeats in a row and they are only two points clear of the relegation zone.

But Black, who is taking his first steps into management, is confident he can keep the club up with 16 games still left to play.

He 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.”

Chairman James Rogers added: “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.”