FOOTBALL: Maltby Main manager Lee Thompson sets sights high for new season

Lee Thompson, who learnt his trade on the books of Sheffield United and went on to make almost 100 appearances in the Football League with Boston United, has taken over at Maltby Main.

The Miners have been a fixture in and around the top half of the Northern Counties East League’s top flight in recent years and reached the Sheffield Senior Cup final in each of the last two seasons.

But it’s a new era at the club, with Thompson making the journey to Muglet Lane with assistant Jamie Smith and chairman Kieran Gallagher, who all last worked in tandem at Kiveton Miners Welfare FC,

Speaking ahead of the first league game at home to Emley AFC, Thompson said: “It’s a tough ask to come into a new club and to change it all around and do the things you want.

“I’m not here to finish bottom half. I want to push myself as high as I can and I believe that with the squad here we will be pushing at the top end of that table.

“These are exciting times and a change-around from Kiveton because it’s a few steps higher up the league pyramid from what we were at last year.

“We have the capability to go and do it. It’s all looking good.”

The gaffer’s words are backed up by some encouraging pre-season displays.

Miners beat higher-league Ilkeston on their own patch and put six past Cromsford & Wirksworth Town. Defeats to Stocksbridge and Bridlington Town haven’t dampened the air of optimism.

“Against Ilkeston we and showed what we’re about and we also put in a good showing against Stocksbridge, although we were disappointed to lose in the end,” said Thompson.

“Obviously the step up is different for me because I played at a higher level and can see the difference, but I look at some of the lads I have fetched in with me and they have literally taken to it straight away and they know what I want.

“The difference between some of the teams can be attitude. With my lads at the minute, their attitude is unbelievable.”

So impressive were Miners in pre-season, they have lost three players to higher league clubs, including Coby Thompson to Ilkeston and Alex Hardwick.

“We have brought some experience in but also some talented young lads who are champing at the bit,” added Thompson. “They are lads that people won’t even know but they have excelled already. I have had them working really hard and not one person has complained. It's credit to the lads and their ability when you have Step 3 managers ringing up, saying ‘can I have a look at one of your players.

“I’m not going to stand in anybody’s way because you want to see your lads progress.”

Maltby defeated Swallownst 5-1 on Tuesday in the annual Chris Lill Trophy fixture with goals from Khalid Suleiman, Oliver Currie, Matt Morton, Matt Reay and Ryan Ellison.

Saturday’s opponents, Emley, beat Main in May in the Senior Cup final.

A trip to Penistone Church follows on Wednesday (7.45pm).