Pitchero Non League

Darren Williams

Having saved the Blues from relegation from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division this season, Williams has his sights firmly set on taking Town on to the next level in 2012/13.

The ex-Sunderland star said: “The aim going forward has got to be promotion.

“We have got to look to progress and yes, we are in a tough league, but you have got to aim high.

“If you look at our statistics for the second half of the season they are among the best in the league.

“If we can keep the players we have at the club and we can start next season properly then there is no reason why can’t be up challenging near the top of the table.”

Despite the season only just having ended, Williams is already making preparations for the new campaign.

He added: “You do tend to put your mind into neutral for a while with the season having just finished.

“Football takes a bit of a back seat for a few weeks but the way it is at this level you need to act quickly to secure the players that you want as soon as possible before other clubs get the chance.

“We are already having a look at a few players but the most important thing is that we try to keep hold of the lads that we already have at the club.

“They have showed how good they are and we have made it clear to them all the opportunity that they have to stay at Whitby and help us progress.

“However, that is all you can do as a manager. You can tell them that you want them to come back next year but it is up to the players to make their own minds up.

“I have no doubt that there will be a few clubs sniffing around some of our lads but at the end of the day they have to decide where they want to play.”

Despite having taken the managerial reins at the club with Town mired in the bottom two of the division and having had to wait until the last game of the season to guarantee survival, Williams has enjoyed his time in the Turnbull Ground hot-seat.

He continued: “I have loved my first managerial role – I have enjoyed every minute of it.

“It has been tough at times but I was always confident that we had enough to stay in this division.

“There are a great set of lads at the club and good spirit in the dressing room and having all the players behind me is what has made the job so enjoyable.

“I am still enjoying playing as well and I plan to keep going.

“Hopefully I won’t be hanging my boots up for a while yet.”

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