FC Halifax Town: Never say never, admits Young about a return to the dugout

Caretaker-manager Neil Young has said 'never say never' about a return to football management.
Neil Young. Picture: The LeaderNeil Young. Picture: The Leader
Neil Young. Picture: The Leader

Young was due to take temporary charge of The Shaymen on Saturday against Dagenham and Redbridge until the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

But he is expected to be at the helm for this Saturday’s trip to Wrexham.

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The former Chester boss announced he had retired from management after leaving Altrincham in August 2016, and asked whether that was still the case, he said: “I have a job outside of football, and a young family, and a mortgage, like most working people, and I’m not prepared to put that at risk.

“I’d never say never in terms of management. For me to take another football manager’s job I’d have to have a chance of being successful.

“I’ve always believed in my own ability but it would have to be something special. I don’t mean financially, but a strategy, a plan that gives you time to build a club.

“I know time in football now is difficult. I’m a great believer in never say never.

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“That buzz for three points is like an addiction and you do get that urge every now and again.”

Asked if he would be interested in the Halifax job, Young said: “Not at the moment.

“That’s down to the chairman and the board to decide how long they want me to do it.

“If I’m here a bit longer and it’s working, you never know.

“It’s not something I’ve considered. I’m just trying to help the club through the short-term while the guys upstairs make the decision on who they want to take the club forward.

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“If I can assist in that process, I will do, and we’ll see where we go from there.”

Young was appointed as Town’s Head of Scouting in September last year, and said the job had entailed him looking at players lower down the leagues who could step up, and at players based between Birmingham and the North East.

On what his immediate future now held, Young said: “I don’t know. Obviously the job was advertised on Thursday.

“I presume you’ll get plenty of applicants. David and the board will sift through the list and maybe get a shortlist of three or four.

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“The people involved at Halifax have been here a long time and will probably know the strengths and weaknesses of everybody in the market.

“I’ll just do the job until I’m told otherwise. I’ve always said since I’ve been at the club that I’ll help however I can.

“I’ll meet up with Gary, and also do a lot of work, try to find out a timescale from the board. I may then add another member of staff to give us a bit more continuity and ability to coach so we can take units out of sessions and work with units. With only two of us it’s a bit difficult.

“I’ve been speaking to people who have been around the club, like Steve Nichol (head of youth development) who’s been great, and he will be involved as well.

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“I’ve seen the team at Tranmere, at Chester and at home against Guiseley, and I watch as many DVD’s as possible.

“I’ve got to try and help the players. I’m not here to criticise them but try and help them.

“At the end of the day it’s a catch 22 - if I’m the interim manager and I’m here for a longer period it’s because we’re doing well and the club are moving up the table.

“But on the other side, I’m sure from a fans’ perspective, they all want a bit of stability and if I’m only here for a short time it’s because the club have got the applicant they need.”

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Whatever the future holds, Young is determined to give it his all however long he is in charge.

He added: “The fans will support the club and the players through thick and thin.

“We all get irate, we all have opinions. All I can guarantee the supporters is that if I’m here for one week or three weeks I’ll give everything I can for the club.

“I don’t see it as a free go, a nothing to lose situation with no pressure. I’m here to do well for the club and do well for the supporters.

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“I won’t be thinking ‘if we get beat, we get beat’. If we get beat, and it’s on my watch, I want to do something about it.

“There won’t be any excuses or ducking, I’ll be doing the very best I can for the supporters and the board.

“We haven’t got that many games to go and we need to win matches.

“Me and Gary both have our personal pride and we want to do well for this club, whether it’s for one week or four weeks.

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“All I can guarantee is that I will give it everything I’ve got. Preparation will be the best it possibly can and we’ll give everything we can to hopefully bring them some performances, which usually bring better results.”