Caskey in Yeltz pledge
Halesowen star new-boy Darren Caskey today insisted he still has 'plenty in the tank' and predicted exciting times under new manager Morell Maison.
Halesowen star new-boy Darren Caskey today insisted he still has 'plenty in the tank' and predicted exciting times under new manager Morell Maison.
The former Tottenham midfielder became Morell's first signing at The Grove when he joined as player-coach in a three-month loan deal from Kettering.
And despite going from England youth honours as a teenager to the Southern League at 33 Caskey believes he has lots left to offer.
He said: "I have definitely got a few miles left in the tank. I'm not going to say that I came here 100 per cent fit because I hadn't played all season.
Stamina
"I had only been a substitute at Kettering and played for the odd 20 minutes or so.
"I didn't come here firing on all cylinders but naturally I've got good stamina and I've never been the quickest player in the world, which I don't think is going to change much.
"I'm not a pacy player but hopefully I can put my foot on the ball and we can pass it around and after two or three games hopefully I'll be in full flow."
And Caskey, who played for Spurs in the Premier League, is keeping the door open to a longer-term switch to The Grove.
He said: "I'll see what happens in the three months and what happens after that will be between Halesowen, Kettering and myself.
"For now I'll just concentrate on winning as many games as we can for Halesowen and trying to help Morell to do that.
"We will probably bring a couple of players in, change the team around a bit and build the team that Morell wants and build a fast-flowing energetic team.
"I'll do whatever I can to help Morell win matches."
Caskey admitted his knowledge of Halesowen was patchy when he was asked to work with new manager Maison and consultant Ron Atkinson in a new-look Yeltz backroom team.
But he has been impressed by his early experiences of the club and is looking forward to bright times.
He said: "I knew very little to be honest but it seems like a very good family-type old-school club. Hopefully the locals will come out to watch us play and hopefully we can play the sort of lively football they like.
"It's a lovely little set-up and a decent enough pitch. We have come here to win as many games as we can and from there we will see what that means.
"Morell knows what he is doing and where he wants to take the club.
"He has got Ron on board who is a big personality, and slowly but surely they will turn this club into something really good. Whether that means promotion this season or next we will see but I think these are exciting times for Halesowen.
"I coached a bit with Morell last season and we finished second in the Conference South. I'm only 33 and I have got lots to learn and I'm willing to learn. We're 100 per cent confident we can do well here."
