Fulwood Amateurs manager Hesketh excited by flying youngsters

“I’m just a daft old bugger who loves football a little bit too much!”

Tony Hesketh was sitting in his office at Fulwood Amateurs selling tickets for tonight’s much-anticipated friendly against FC United of Manchester when he contemplated the start of his 40th season as a football manager.

“It’s been a massive part of my life,” said the 65-year-old. “I loved being a player and then a manager and I’ve still got the bug now.”

That bug will see the affable and softly spoken Lancashire lad lead Fulwood Amateurs on their latest assault on the West Lancashire League title.

They were odds on to wrap up the league in 2019/20 before Covid struck and while there’s been a turnover of players at Lightfoot Lane since, Hesketh is hopeful he’s got a squad to challenge at the top again.

“I think it’s fair to say we’ve been the dominant side over the last few years and not being able to complete the season in 2020 was a real shame for everyone,” said Hesketh, who has managed Barrow, Morecambe, Lancaster, Chorley, and Kendal in a stellar non-league career.

“We’ve lost a number of senior players since – maybe six from that team have gone but we’ve got some exciting youngsters. The challenge for these 18 and 19-year-old lads is to push on and challenge for the league.”

And one player who excites Hesketh in particular is 19-year-old attacker Lucas Weaver, a product of Fulwood’s booming youth system.

“Lucas has come through our Under 16s and hasn’t played much for the first team.

"But he’s developed and matured, he’s a great finisher, has got great pace and he will only prosper this season. I have no doubt clubs from higher leagues will be after him.”

Hesketh has also managed to hold on to the services of prolific striker Matt Van Wijk who plundered 38 goals in just 24 games in the curtailed 2019/20 season.

Fulwood are expecting a bumper crowd for tonight’s final friendly against FC United, who are managed by Hesketh’s close friend Neil Reynolds.

Fulwood have played and beaten Longridge Town, Wyre Villa and Carnforth in pre-season – but Hesketh is expecting a different proposition tonight.

“I don’t expect us to be seeing much of the ball,” he laughed.

“It will be a different test tonight – we’ve done plenty of attacking so far so it will be interesting to see how well we defend and what qualities we have there against a Northern Premier League side.”

While things are progressing well on the pitch, plans to develop their Lightfoot Lane ground have stalled.

The club had plans in place to redevelop their ground with a 250-seater stand, covered standing, all-weather pitch, new changing rooms and car park.

A deal for the sale of land for housing – which would have helped bankroll the development – fell through meaning plans to rise up the football pyramid have had to be put on the back burner.

“The sale of the land was well and truly scuppered, Covid put paid to that,” he added.

“But we’ve got permission for floodlights granted and that lasts for three years, we’ve got a good set up here, a fantastic group of volunteers – there’s been six or seven down this morning painting, it’s all hands on deck.

"So we are still hopeful of getting there – it might just take a little longer.”

Fulwood travel to Burscough Richmond in their opening game on Saturday (3pm).

• Tickets are available on the gate for tonight’s friendly against FC United at Lightfoot Lane. Kick off 7.30pm

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