TIVIDALE’s First Team Coach Rich Upton is enjoying life back at The Beeches as Ian Long’s side prepare for this weekend when ‘Dale entertain Goole AFC in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division One South (KO 15:00).

‘Uppo’ returned to the club in November having worked under John Hill at Halesowen Town and is delighted to be part of Ian Long’s backroom team.

He said “It’s great to be back – it feels like ‘home’ to me.

“The place doesn’t change much, that’s for sure.

“Everyone seems to know each other here and there’s a great camaraderie – that’s why the club is going places.”

Upton worked alongside former manager Dean Whitehouse at ‘Dale and was delighted when Ian Long offered him the chance to return.

“I left Halesowen and almost immediately got the call from Ian.

“There was no doubt in my mind what I wanted to do and jumped at the opportunity because this is an excellent level of football.

“Ian and Richard Colwell (Assistant Manager) wanted time to analyse player performance, watch potential targets and opponents more regularly and that’s where I come in to play, coaching the lads and trying to improve the playing side.”

Tivi have won their last three games in all competitions and Upton believes they will need to be at their best once again to take another three points against Goole this weekend.

“It’s going to be a interesting game – Goole are mid table like ourselves but we’re in great form and playing at home.

“We have been fantastic defensively in the past three games, earning three clean sheets in the process.

And, with the likes of Jordan (Archer), Karl Edwards and Nigel Penney in the forward areas, we’ve got a chance in every game we play.”