Atherton Colls manager Brad Cooke is taking plenty of positives from the season that never was while gearing his side ready for a return whenever possible.

When the Football Association’s decision to curtail a second Northern Premier League campaign running was received, Colls had only played eight league games but sat ninth in the division with 13 points.

In the short time that he saw his players on the pitch however, manager Cooke didn’t struggle to pick a highlight.

He said: “There were a few performances I was really pleased with over the games we did play.

“We were sensational against Bamber Bridge at home (5-0 win), and we were really good away at Stafford Rangers (3-0 win) too.

“There’s only one really obvious one for me though and that’s beating Ashton United at home.

“With Cleggy (former boss Michael Clegg) coming back, the game had a local derby feel to it, and we faced players that I’d managed for a short period of time before coming to Colls as well.

“That was the sweetest moment for me, getting the victory that night. If I was to pick a favourite game, then it would be that and I think a lot of people in and around the club felt the same way. Of all the matches, that’s the one that I’ll remember this campaign by.”

While the Black and Whites are able to reminisce of victories like this, Cooke knows that full focus must now be on being even stronger when play is allowed to resume.

His side haven’t kicked a ball since December when they played two friendlies against Runcorn Linnets and Mossley but despite this, the boss and fellow management team believe lockdown learning is vital.

Cooke said: “I don’t want to overload the players. I learnt a lot from when we were on lockdown this time last year.

“We’re more well-versed now and we’re lucky that we’ve got a really honest group of players who do look after themselves.

“This season, what we got to play of it, showed just how fit we actually are and when we’re allowed to, we will have group sessions around the different components of the team.

“We want to analyse the defence, midfield and attack to see what we did well and more importantly not so well because that’s how we’ll improve”

Cooke is in the unusual position of having in theory taken charge of two seasons, without actually having completed a full campaign due to the pandemic.

“Not yet completing a season is madness but I’m not the only one it’s happened to, the same can be said for numerous managers and players up and down the country,” he said.

“For us now, we’ve been given a date of either the first or second week of August as to when next season will start.

“We’ll be planning towards pre-season fixtures based upon this date. For everyone’s wellbeing, both mental and physical, we just want to get back to kicking a football.”