Hayward delighted with all-for-one Team Buxton approach

Northern Premier League action has been brought to a halt due to a second lockdown, but the Bucks boss says the club is enjoying a real sense of togetherness following their strong start to the season.

"The fans have been incredible. The young lads behind the goal and some of the older lads who come watch us, turning out every week," Hayward said, praising the all-for-one attitude around the Tarmac Silverlands Arena.

"They're all complimentary as well, which is nice.

"All along it's Team Buxton, that's what me and the chairman set out for this season and it won't change.

"That's how we want it.

"If you want to be part of it you're part of the team. We're all in it together and its Team Buxton."

Hayward was delighted with how his squad have also bought into the vision, perhaps too much at times.

Explaining how he wanted a team effort on the pitch, especially those vital moments in front of goal, he said: "I was trying to get into the lads that we weren't passing enough if we're on for a goal.

"Scoring wins games and it's all about winning games. You want the golden boot, I know, but nobody's winning the golden boot if we don't win games. We'll win nothing like that.

"I think the penny's dropped now and they're passing too much, trying to walk it in."

As the season was postponed, the Bucks were sat third in the NPL Premier Division, two points behind Mickleover and Basford United, but with a game in hand.

The Northern Premier League is the highest level of football to stop for lockdown and Hayward told The Advertiser that a number of National League North clubs had contacted him, attempting to take his players on loan until they were able to re-start.

However, the Bucks manager wasn't risking any injuries or suspensions.

He explained: "I've had a lot of Conference North players ring me up asking if they can take the players on loan for a month, but obviously I'm not going to let anyone go.

"They'll do stuff on their own to keep fit and hopefully be ready to go when we can start playing again."