What do you know about Ossett Town Assistant Manager Darren Smith? Ingfielder has spent some time with Daz to find out just how he has got to where his is today.

Craig Elliott originally asked me to join him at Glasshoughton Welfare as an assistant following my three year spell at Pontefract Collieries with Simon Houghton. I knew Craig from Pontefract as he appeared for us briefly as a player as well as being manager of the reserve team.

From Pontefract Craig knew my character and that I tried to encourage a positive atmosphere around the dressing room and try my upmost to keep the lads in good spirits! I believe that was one of the reasons he asked me to join him at Glasshoughton to keep a positive spin on things around the place and I have continued to try and bring that positivity to Ossett Town.

I only worked with Craig one season at Glasshoughton and in that season we achieved promotion from NCEL division One to the NCEL Premier. However at the end of the season the opportunity arose to take the current job at Ingfield after Craig was successful at the interview process.

As a player I had two very bad injuries at 17 which virtually ended any chance of playing at a decent level. I did make a few appearances in the Central Midlands league under ex professional footballer Stewart Barrowclough at Grimethorpe MW. The first injury was a crushed left foot after an accident at work and then six months later I was involved in a car crash which resulted in a fracture and dislocation of my neck! The two injuries combined cut short my playing career. I was always involved with local teams in Barnsley and in the summer od 2008 was asked to become assistant manager at Pontefract Collieries as previously mentioned.

Match days tent to involve Craig and I finalising our team details including selection, formation, etc… from then we prepare the lads for the game. I will go through set pieces and get round the lads letting them know their own specific role and what we expect from them within that specific game whilst always trying to keep a good atmosphere around the place. Craig likes to do the warm up and be involved un that as much as possible.

Personally I believe Craig and I work well as a team. We are very much two different people which does help and we are supported with good people around us including Ged, Gary and Claton who all make an impact on what we are trying to achieve. Which is SUCCESS!!!

Remember, positive things happen to positive people