New head coach outlines his vision for Ilkeston FC

Holland previously held the role as academy director at the New Manor Ground but believes there needs to be senior players among his ranks to help the youngsters flourish in the first team.

He said: “The academy is obviously a massive part of the football club, but to move the first team forward, we need to bring in some senior players alongside the elite of our academy.

“You can’t win everything with kids, the model works in that we try and move players on, but we do need to bring senior players in to help the younger players.

“If you’ve got the right players and the right experience around them, then I’m sure we can get the first team where it needs to be.

“Since the end of the season, with Nigel Harrop going into hospital, we decided that it was important that we didn’t stand still as a club and I’ve spoken to numerous people over the last few weeks, people who have played a lot of football in the football league and it’s nice to see that they all know what Ilkeston FC is about and they want to be part of what we want to do.”

Holland added: “I’ve been in lower league football all of my career, I’ve not played at the heights of other managers, but I’m hard working and down to earth and I want the fans onside with what we’re doing. Last season was a difficult season and we want to see the fans with smiles on their faces and all of us pulling in the same direction.”