TO say being a football manager this season has been slightly frustrating would be a massive understatement.

Back in November, Andrew Clarkson was excited to be appointed Barnoldswick Town boss. It was the chance to be involved at a club he saw had huge potential.

Fast-forward four months, and Clarkson has only managed his new side on three occasions, one of those being a local friendly.

This is, of course, down to Steps 3-6 suffering the same fate as last season with the declaration of null and void.

Thankfully, it was not as detrimental this time out after teams struggled to reach double figures in terms of games played.

If anything, Town are glad to be able to start afresh after losing six of their eight North West Counties Premier Division fixtures.

Despite it being a strange period, Clarkson is keen to take away the positives.

He said: "Even though everyone knew deep down it would be null and void, we were still disappointed.

"Although being a new manager of a team who wasn’t doing so well probably gives me a fresh start to get the best out of the players we have currently got and see if we need to add another one or two.

"It was two league games and that friendly against Silsden, so it has been quite bizarre.

"I am looking forward to getting back into training, and at least we have now got the opportunity to get our teeth stuck into something."

Clarkson is alluding to the Spring Football Festival Clitheroe are hosting which begins on April 10.

Barnoldswick, Fleetwood Town, Hurst Green, Marine (Group A), Clitheroe, Accrington Stanley, Rimington and Stockport County (Group B) will all be involved.

Each team will play one other once over three weekends and the winners of each group will contest the final on May 1.

"It should be a good test to play against full-time players," he added.

"I am not going to go too serious because I want to see all the young lads play. We have probably got a good 13 or 14 lads.

"It will give the younger players a chance and one or two of the squad players more game time.

"There hasn’t really been an announcement on fans. I think Clitheroe are hoping by the final they will be allowed but we have to wait and see about that.

"We will play a few friendlies (post-March 29), the tournament, then have a couple of weeks off before we hit the ground running in pre-season."

Meanwhile, a whole host of Bradford district teams have announced they aim to be involved in something similar, fans permitting.

Silsden and Steeton are two of the 12 teams set to be in the tournament, intended to take place from April 13 until May 29

Two groups of six will be created with each team playing one another home and away. The top two will progress into a two-legged semi-final before a showpiece final.