Chris Holland relishing AFC Telford role
AFC Telford United's new assistant manager Chris Holland is relishing the pressure ahead of the club's forthcoming Conference North promotion push.
Holland, who spent four years at Birmingham City as a player, was last week unveiled as Steve Kittrick's No 2 at the New Bucks Head.
The 39-year-old, who began his career at Preston North End, knows first hand how unforgiving non-league's second tier can be.
He missed out on promotion in the play-offs with former club Guiseley, where he was a player and then assistant manager under Kittrick, on three occasions.
But Holland is determined to make the most of his latest chance at glory in the division, and the ex-Newcastle United midfielder believes he has a better chance of success with the Bucks.
He said: "I think at a club like Telford the pressure is there but it is pressure that we all want. I have spoken to the gaffer about it and we need to be up there challenging for promotion.
"It's as simple as that. I know the way Steve is and if he is not up there he will be disappointed, as will I.
He added: "At Guiseley we were a top six side but Telford is a bigger club and there are some good players here.
"I'm looking forward to a good pre-season and I think we have got every chance of taking them up."
Holland has been out of the dugout since he left Guiseley in late September 2013.
But he always looked like a front-runner to land the vacant post at the New Bucks Head, after it emerged he was a contender towards the end of last season.
And he successfully saw off the challenge of two other rivals who had also been in the frame.
He said: "I have missed the game and this is a big opportunity for me. It is a massive club and I am just thankful to Steve for the chance.
"I am looking forward to working with him again."
Holland was unveiled as assistant manager last Thursday, on the same day that Telford also brought in defender Ben Harrison and Shrewsbury-born goalkeeper Mason Springthorpe.
