New Moulton Harrox manager Dave Panton has spoken of his pride at being handed the reins at Broad Lane.
Panton, who bossed Bourne Town Reserves last season, replaced Paul Kent – the club’s most successful-ever manager – at the Harrox helm at the end of May.
Best known for being a part of the Moulton squad that won a historic ChromaSport Peterborough Premier Division, PFA Senior Cup and Lincs Junior Cup treble in 2013, Panton was also on Spalding United’s books as a youth player in the Alan Day era after beginning his playing career with Spalding Colts.
More recently, he played in goal for Swineshead and his work side HMP North Sea Camp, before serving as back-up to Lee Kenealy in that treble-winning side.
Having dipped his toes into management at the Abbey Lawn last season, Panton admits that he’s over the moon to be given the chance to take charge of Moulton.
Challenging for silverware is in the club’s DNA – and having retained the vast majority of the side which placed third in the Premier Division and lost in the county cup final last term, he’s aiming to go one better this time.
“I feel very proud to be given the responsibility to manage Moulton Harrox,” said Panton. “Moulton is a well supported and established club – so to be approached by the very experienced committee was very pleasing.
“Moulton is a very competitive club. We will always aim to be successful in the league and all of the competitions we enter.
“I’ve learned that over the years and, for me, playing good and competitive football brings out the best in players and makes matches better to watch.
“I also want to bring a bit more structure to the team itself. I’ll try and support all of the players as much as possible so all they have to do is concentrate on is going out and getting three points.
“Having played under a number of managers at Moulton – and having learned from other managers at Bourne and in the Prison Service – I hope to lead the club by challenging for honours.
Having kept nearly all of the players from last year, I aim to start the season where Moulton left off last season and get both teams winning some silverware come May 2016.”
Bringing in Panton represents the first change in management for Moulton in quite some time.
There will be some continuity, however, with Harrox stalwart Paul Crowson staying on as assistant chief.
And, having picked up a few pointers from Bourne legend Darren Munton and current Wakes boss Raffa Mazzarella last year, Panton feels well equipped for his maiden season as a first team manager.
“There will always be help available from very talented people at Moulton Harrox,” added Panton. “I’m a very hands-on manager and I like to take training as well as the warm-ups.
“But Paul Crowson will support me – his experience and knowledge of the Peterborough League is fantastic.
“Lee Hudson is always available to take, assist or participate in training and with Chris Hall and Gary Huggins in charge of the reserves, we will all work as a club and support each other.
“Managing the Wakes taught me a lot about management and I learned a lot from Darren Munton and Raffa Mazzarella.
“But managing a first team will be different. As a reserve manager, once you start picking up results players are going to be picked for the first team – which doesn’t allow much chance for a settled side. Being a first team manager does allow you more options and gets the best results for the club.”
With new management often comes now players, but Panton isn’t looking to make wholesale changes.
He admits to being in negotiations with as many as seven players, with former Harrox favourite John Ball amongst them.
Panton said: “I do hope to bring in a couple of new faces, but with them being very good players themselves there is obviously competition from other clubs, some which are at a higher level.
“I’m talking to up to seven new players and hope at least a couple will commit to Moulton this season. At this time John Ball, who was joint manager with me at Bourne, has signed and has similar goals as myself for Moulton.”
Harrox got their pre-season fixtures under way with a 1-0 home defeat against March Town on Wednesday. Former favourite Dan Woods netted the only goal from the penalty spot.
They then face a trip to Wisbech St Mary on Wednesday, before completing their friendly schedule at Wyberton on July 29.
