 Redfearn has confidence in the quality of Northwich's squad |
Neil Redfearn is back in business and eager to relaunch his managerial career at Northwich Victoria. He returns to the dug-out at Northwich 12 months after leaving Scarborough and a losing battle to keep the club afloat in the Blue Square Premier.
"It was a very difficult set of circumstances with the finances and what was going on at the club at the time," he told BBC Sport.
"Every aspect of it was eating away at what you were trying to achieve."
Redfearn added: "They were all valuable lessons and it was all good experience for the Conference."
Following Readfearn's departure a second successive relegation followed for Scarborough and last week the former Football League club went bust.
Redfearn had moved on as a player and last season passed 1,000 career games during spells with UniBond League clubs Bradford Park Avenue and Stocksbridge Park Steels.
 | I have always wanted to be a tracksuit manager who gets involved |
The 42-year-old will sign himself for Northwich but it was the opportunity of another crack at management that has brought Redfearn to the well appointed Victoria Stadium, which will also host Manchester United's reserves next season.
"I will register as a player but I have come to coach and organise and manage," he said.
"Having met the chairman and seen his ambitions for the club and where he wants to take it, it's a set of circumstances you want to come into."
Redfearn is qualified to 'A' licence level as a coach and also has a remarkable playing record to lean on.
Ranked fifth in the list of all-time League and Cup appearances with 917 to his name, the Yorkshireman played in midfield for 13 clubs and tasted Premiership football with Bradford City, Charlton Athletic and Barnsley.
| It's something I can really get my teeth into |
When those days were finished, he turned out for Rochdale, Boston and Halifax Town, who were also relegated under his charge when he was handed the seemingly poisoned chalice of caretaker-manager in 2002.
And his well travelled boots will remain close to hand.
"I have always wanted to be a tracksuit manager who gets involved and sorts things out on the training ground," Redfearn added.
"I think that's something that appealed to the chairman at Northwich.
"We have got a very young squad with an average age of 23-24 and it's a blank canvas to make an impression and impose your style of play.
"It's something I can really get my teeth into."
If enthusiasm and passion for the game were the yardstick for success then the Vics would be onto a guaranteed winner.
But Redfearn's arrival has not come at a straightforward time.
Previously successful manager Steve Burr parted company with the Vics in acrimonious circumstances following a fall-out with chairman Mike Connett earlier this summer.
| I will register as a player but I have come to coach and organise and manage |
And a number of key players have moved on, notably striker Paul Brayson and midfielder Stuart Elliott with Kieran Charnock and Michael Carr expected to follow.
"We had two or three out of contract but we have the basis of about 14 players and there are four or five I want to bring in.
"I have got people in mind and we are trying to tie up a few loose ends," said Redfearn, who also plans to recruit a player-coach to work with him in charge of a squad that will continue, for now, to train on a three days a week basis.
"If we get off to a good start, win some football matches and put some bums on seats I might be able to say to the chairman 'what about full-time?' because I know he is up for it.
"But you have got to go through the process," he added.
Despite the summer of change Connett has his sights set on a play-off place in the Blue Square Premier and a challenge for Football League status.
Redfearn's targets are a series of more short-term goals, but he is optimistic about the challenge ahead.
"The Conference is a difficult competition and it's getting better and better and I can't see any difference between the top clubs and the Football League," he said.
"Next season will be no different but I'm looking forward to the fact that we have a group of young players that has done well at this level individually and collectively and I'm excited about the players I'm looking to bring in."
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