Ian Richards is taking Penistone Church into their second season in the NCEL
Ian Richards is really happy with the additions he has made to his Penistone Church side.
Penistone are hoping for a successful season in their second campaign in Division One of Toolstation NCEL and Richards has only added three new signings.
He was forced to sign a goalkeeper as Joe Green has moved to America so in comes Kettering-born stopper Jamie Dean, who has been playing for Sheffield Sunday League big boys Royal Earl.
He recommended to Richards by former Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Darren Schofield.
Also joining is Marco Battaglia and Joe Hall, who was playing for Otley Town last season.
Richards told Non League Yorkshire: “I’m really pleased that everyone, bar one, from last season has re-signed so that we have kept the nucleus of our squad together.
“The goalkeeper Joe Green has got a great opportunity of a scholarship in America so we have replaced him with Jamie Dean, who has been playing Sheffield.
“He has been very impressive and the good thing is that he has a great attitude. He wants to be here.
“We have signed Italian Marco Battaglia. He was at Worksop and couldn’t get a game. He came down for training and did really well.
“He’s an attacking player and looks exciting.
“Joe Hall has come to us from a team in the West Yorkshire League.
“Hopefully we can sign one-or-two more players before the start of next season.
“At the moment they are with their existing clubs and are deciding whether to stay there or join us.
“We should have a strong squad of 18 and real competition for places.”
Richards does not rule out bringing in extra bodies once the season commences.
He has previously that his range of targets has increased since joining the NCEL and that has remained the same during the summer.
“The club’s profile has raised hugely from how well we did in the NCEL last season,” he added.
“The players I’m now looking are not players I would have looked at in the past.
“That’s because they were either at clubs at a higher level or getting good money elsewhere.
“We are now able to compete and able to try and persuade them to come.
“But it is not about signing anyone, it is about targeting good players who are successful.
“If it takes until September and October to do that then we’ll wait because the squad we currently have is already good enough to do well.
“It will be about signing players who will make us better, not signing players for the sake of it.
Penistone host newly-promoted Pontefract Collieries on Monday night.
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