Hart not stopping yet as Coppull romp to title

The Coppull United Reserves boss has seen his side storm to the Division Two Reserve title with 19 wins from 24 games.

They scored 82 goals in the process – with veteran striker Greg Brickell banging in 30 of those in a remarkable season.

And Hart knows who he needs to convince next season to help his side hopefully repeat this year’s triumph.

“I had been been trying to get Greg to come down and play for us when I was manager first time round,” said Hart, who is in his second spell as reserves boss after a year gap.

“One year he said ‘yes’ and he’s been brilliant. He’s 42/43 now but he’s still clinical and he loves it. His flame burnt out but it’s been reignited.

“Will he carry on playing? Let’s just say we’re in negotiations with his missus!”

Coppull will be joined by Wyre Villa Reserves in the higher division next year after a season which saw the Springfield Road side drop only two points at home all season.

Hart, 34, who is assisted by Neil Berrisford, Andrew Darbyshire and Craig Wilding, says unlike many reserve managers, he has been left largely untroubled by the club’s first team raiding his side for players last minute.

“It goes with the territory and sometimes at some clubs on a Friday you might get the first team manager saying he needs this player and that player,” said Hart, a former forward who turned out for Coppull and Charnock Richard.

“But they’ve been great with us, really lenient. I’ve barely had a cry off all season too. We’ve got 30 players signed on and they’ve been at every training session more or less.

"The commitment levels for this level of football have been amazing.

“I said in the changing room after our last game on Saturday that I can’t fault any of them. It’s so hard to win any league but it helps when you’ve got lads like ours.”

Hart is not resting on his laurels though and is already talking to players to find out their intentions for next season.

“I know our job is to feed the first team and we’ve had quite a few make that step up. That will continue next season, some will retire, we’ll be talking to every individual so we know where we’re at.”

His most important phone call may just well be to a certain Mrs Brickell…