Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare joint managers Darren Holmes and Lee Vigars are leading their fearless side into the club’s biggest game since the magical Craig Elliott era
Darren Holmes has said fearless Glasshoughton Welfare are confident in his final rallying call ahead of their play-offs tie at Grimsby Borough.
The semi-final is Glasshoughton’s biggest game since the Craig Elliott glory era. Elliott, the club’s greatest manager, rescued Welfare from the brink of oblivion and drove them on a unforgettable and magical journey which ended with the last day promotion-winning match at AFC Emley in 2012.
No game since has been of the same magnitude and despite losing convincingly twice to Grimsby in the league, Holmes is backing the club’s 2018 heroes. Tom Carr is back from suspension for surprise package Glasshoughton.
“We came to Glasshoughton with a three year plan,” Holmes told Non League Yorkshire.
“The first year’s aim was to steady the ship, second year the plan was to push as close to the play-offs and then third year get in the play-offs. That was always the plan.
“It has gone swimmingly so far. We have probably over-achieved this year, but we are in the play-offs.
“Now in a one-off game against anybody in the top six, we can win.
“We have beaten twice by Grimsby this season, but we don’t fear anybody. When we played Grimsby back in October and got beat 4-0, they probably would have thought that we wouldn’t get in the play-offs, but it is a long season.
“Our squad is fit and going into the play-offs we will have everyone available. Everyone is buzzing, we have the momentum and we feel we can beat anyone now.
“We won’t sit back, we will play as we normally play. We have a young side and it is the biggest game for most of the side, but we will go there without fear and give everything we have got.”
The Emley clash in 2012 saw Glasshoughton go into it needing to win to clinch second place.
However, after an hour it had gone pear-shaped as Emley led 2-0. Their promotion dreams were fading until Elliott and his management team of Simon Houghton and Daz Smith made two inspired substitutions by introducing Andy Seed and Steven Bennett.
An own goal brought Welfare back from the dead before former Athersley Rec striker Bennett scored in the 84th and 89th minutes to fire his side back into the Premier Division.
Holmes and his joint manager Lee Vigars will hope tomorrow night is not as dramatic and heart-stopping.