In the spotlight: Darren Laycock – Brighouse Town
THERE have been some great partnerships over the years: Romeo & Juliet, Fred & Ginger, Jack & Vera – Darren Laycock and Brighouse Town.
He has been with the club for 21 years and his passion and drive to see the club progress and show no signs of waning.
Not playing so much now, the centre half started off at the club as a player and for the past five seasons has been in charge of the reserves. He now assists Rick Addy and they make a pretty formidable team
Not content with one game at the weekend in his younger days, the 38-year-old area sales manager for Bettaparts, Bradford, used to played for Ellandians on a Saturday and then on a Sunday had spells with Top Club, The Junction, Hove Edge, The Star and the Old Pond.
Living in Hove Edge, so not too far from the Dual Seal Stadium, Darren admits things could be better for the reserves this season but they have had a few obstacles along the way.
"It's going okay. We are at the lower end of the table, but there have been certain elements that have contributed to it.
"There has been a big upheaval with the players and the side is young. In some games the oldest players have only been 22/23 and it is difficult in the West Riding Premier as some of the other players are a bit older and cuter.
"However, the future is looking bright. We train every Tuesday and Thursday and we train with the first team. The under-19's train on a Monday night but such is their enthusiasm that it is open for them to join us on a Tuesday and Thursday.
"We go through the whole lot with them, ball work, stamina and strength, shooting, defending and where to stand."
Darren admits that with work and Brighouse Town he doesn't have much time for anything else apart from looking after the six houses that he rents out in the Brighouse and Hove Edge area and says he will have to make time for the next stage of his coaching badge.
"I already have my Level 2 and hopefully in a few months time I will be able to go for Level 3. I have sent my application off to the West Riding's headquarters and now it's a case of waiting for a date to come through.
"They can send you off anywhere such as Marley Stadium, Keighley. It will be a full week intensive course and then 12 months of weekends to work towards the UEFA B badge.
"I am pretty confident I will get a place but it's really a numbers game. With it being a higher level they only do it once a year and if there are only 30 places and 500 applicants it's the luck of the draw."
The other football team in Darren's life is Liverpool FC and he says he comes from having a bit of friendly banter with his uncle.
"I was sat watching Leeds v Liverpool on the television with him when I was about five. I decided it would be fun to cheer on the opposition. Liverpool won the game and I decided to stick with them.
"It could have been anyone that day, West Brom or Accrington Stanley as long as they beat Leeds.
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Weather for Halifax
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
