Micah Richards joins ‘Britain’s worst soccer’ workforce – now they wish to win the league
Britain’s worst football team wants to win the league this year after appointing morale boosting Micah Richards as assistant manager. The pundit, 38, has lifted the spirits of Sunday League side Bollington United after just a few training sessions.
And gaffer Darryll Jones – who was in net for a demoralising 31-1 defeat last season – is now eyeing up a promotion push. He said: “It’s is going to be the best thing that’s ever happened to this club.“
The grassroots club, which is celebrating its 40th season this year, suffered some heavy defeats last year in the Stockport District League.
Micah watches on from the sidelines(Image: Specsavers)
But they’ve since switched to the East Cheshire League and have ex-Manchester City star Richards in the dugout after being crowned Specsavers’ Best Worst Team.
Darryll, in his first year as manager after spending six years as a player, said: “We want to win the league. There’s no point in playing if you’re not going out to win. With the team we’ve assembled and with what Micah has done, I’m confident.
“Micah has been unreal. The energy he brings has been unbelievable. It’s on another level. We couldn’t have asked for anyone with more energy. On the first day he came down, he was upbeat.
Micah passing on his knowledge to the team(Image: Specsavers)
“After 15 minutes, it was like talking to one of your mates. He’s so down to earth, he’s been great with us. He’s got the lads up for it and given us a few cheeky bonuses. I think this is going to be the best thing that’s ever happened to Bolly United.”
Darryll, 35, said of the 31-1 loss last season: “It was horrendous. It was one of those games. We played against a team that were a lot better than us. It was embarrassing.”
Skipper Kyle Leveridge said of Micah’s involvement: “He’s been massive, he brings a positive vibe, he makes us want to be around each other and come to training. We have to pick players now, we’re getting that many to training.
Micah with gaffer Darryll, who shipped in 31 goals in a single game last year(Image: Specsavers)
“He’s given us some pointers, the first thing he said was go out and enjoy it. Just enjoy playing football and everything else comes from that.
“He’s really stripped it back to basics and it’s interesting to see that even if you get to a high level like he has played, it is still about the basics. He’s been a massive boost for the lads.”
Micah, who has offered star striker Sam Goodwin £5,000 if he bags 40 goals this season, said: “The spirit here is brilliant.
Bollington United now eye up a league title push(Image: Specsavers)
“Nobody’s given up and everyone mucks in. My job is to get them off the bottom of the table, and if Goody can hit 40 goals, I’ll happily pay up.”
Fans can see how the club gets on in an eight-part YouTube series. Search Specsavers’ Best Worst Team.
