Injured star Stocksbridge Park Steels striker Danny Frost has praised Chris Hilton for keeping him on the straight and narrow.
Hilton has allowed The Iceman, a perennial hero at many clubs, to be on the BetVictor South East’s side coaching staff since the start of the season.
Far from being just a cheerleader, Frost, who played for Worsbrough during Hilton’s legendary managerial tenure at Park Road, has been actively involved in decision-making and he says it has been very beneficial on a few fronts.
“I could have just been sat at home looking like Mr Blobby if it is wasn’t for Chris Hilton, he deserves a medal,” Frost told Non League Yorkshire.
“He’s kept me involved and as sharp and in shape as I can be.
“I’m really enjoying it and I’m learning a lot about the other side of the game. Depending on how severe the injury is, long may it continue.
“I owe Hilts a lot, he and the club have been brilliant for me. Shaun (Handisides) has been superb, as have the lads.
“Sometimes it can be hard to take advice off someone you play at the side of them. They have showed total respect and have listened to all advice.
“I’ve been really involved. For instance it was me and Tommo (assistant manager Lee Thompson) who told Hilts to throw big Reece (Fielding) on upfront against Leek. Look what happened, he got the equaliser.
“I never liked doing the warm-ups, but I love running them. It is a good experience for me. It is something to add to the CV if I do decide not to play anymore and want to manage.”
Rumours have been circulating around the Non League world that Frost was due to fly to America to see one of the world’s leading knee surgeons for a career-saving knee operation.
The rumours are false, but Frost remains in the dark over when he can return to action.
He had hoped to be back for the start of the season, but that aim melted after breaking down in a training match at the end of July, shortly after completing his hat-trick.
“I did it representing the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA at Bramall Lane at the end of last season,” he said.
“I didn’t think much of it so I left it for a few weeks, but it got no better.
“So I started going to see Alan Smith, the ex-England and Sheffield Wednesday physio, a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been referred to Claremont Hospital in Sheffield.
“I’m waiting for an MRI scan.
“The surgeon thinks that I won’t need an operation. I haven’t done my ACL, he’s pretty adamant about that.”
Frost is well-known in the Non League community for icon status spells with Ossett Town, Shaw Lane AFC and Pontefract Collieries, as well as stints with Winterton Rangers and Maltby Main.
Although as per most club’s rules he has given them back, but It does mean he has had a lot of tracksuits over his long and illustrious career.
That in turn means his contacts base is very wide.
“I genuinely have aspirations to go into management,” he said.
“My good pal Blacky (Grant Black), one of best young managers about, is at Belper and I played at Ossett Town under him and I learnt a lot off him.
“Hilts manages in a different way so I’ve picked up a lot off both of them.
“I’m nearly 31 so when I’m back fit I will still have a few years in me as a player, but management is definitely something I want to try.”