The new Toolstation Northern Counties East season starts on Saturday
The introduction of play-offs into Division One of the Toolstation NCEL makes the 2015-16 season the most exciting in a long time.
More teams than ever have a genuine shot of reaching the Premier Division and Yorkshire has its fair share.
Outside Yorkshire, the likes of AFC Mansfield, Bottesford and Shirebrook and maybe even Lincoln Moorlands will be strong and vying for the promotion spots.
So let’s take a look at what our Yorkshire Division One sides can achieve this season:
Date for the diary: Emley boss Darren Hepworth wants his side to win promotion in April
AFC Emley
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Top Six
Last season’s position: 5th
The perennial challengers. A title they have inherited from Pontefract Collieries, who finally went up last season after several attempts to win promotion. Darren Hepworth and Emley have had a few goes themselves and nothing is going to change in 2016.
Eccleshill United
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Mid-table
Last season’s position: 13th
Eccleshill are embarking on a brave new era under Mark Greaves following the end of the partnership with RIASA. Greaves has built a brand new team with a few experienced NCEL bodies such as Eli Hey, Andy Cooper and Andy Sunley. Captain Jermaine Springer is one of two survivors from last season and that’s a huge positive. Greaves does have a good spine of experience so hopefully Eccleshill can have a good season. The fixtures for August and September have also been kind to them.
Glasshoughton Welfare
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Bottom half
Last season’s position: 21st (relegated from the Premier Division)
Stopping the rot is the priority for Mick Norbury and Glasshoughton this season. Some players have remained, other haven’t and Norbury has added a few of his own players. Welfare have a tough opener – at Hemsworth – but winnable games soon follow.
Hall Road Rangers
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Mid-table
Last season’s position: 17th
Once the floodlights are up, Hall Road’s new chapter at Haworth Park is fully underway. The club are hopeful the move will lead to a brighter future. Manager Martin Thacker has kept the majority of his squad and added a few new faces so the aim is simply to improve on last season.
Ryan Hindley has turned Hallam into a force
Hallam
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Top six challengers
Last season’s position: 14th
In less of a year, Hallam have been revitalised under Ryan Hindley. Before his arrival last October, Hallam were on the brink of being relegated from the NCEL – now they are a good bet for promotion.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Top six challengers
Last season’s position: 3rd
The biggest surprise package of 2015 have a lot to live up to. Wayne Benn’s men are no longer under the radar so the pressure is much higher. They have taken a blow as star signing Shane Kelsey is ruled out for the start of the season, but Benn still has a lot of talent at his disposal.
Hull United
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Title contenders
Last season’s position: Newly promoted
If you look at how Goole were set up under Curtis Woodhouse last season, his current Hull United side will have certain characteristics. Goole were hard to beat and rarely conceded. His players were super fit and also willing to run through brick walls for him. Hull will only get stronger and stronger as the season goes on.
Knaresborough Town
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Play-offs contenders / mid-table
Last season’s position: 12th
Brian Davey’s shock departure in July has changed the line-up in the dugout, but more-or-less the same players remain. A few have gone, such as Colin Heath and Byron Littlefair. The ones that are still at Manse Lane are good enough to make Knaresborough a competitive NCEL side. Look at the fixtures and Knaresborough have a brilliant chance to get off to a flying start.
Penistone Church
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Top half
Last season’s position: 9th
Ian Richards’ men surprised a few last season with their ninth place finish. The play-offs is the aim for them this time around and it is achieve-able.
Rossington Main
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Bottom half
Last season’s position: 15th
Rossington are the other club, who changed their manager in early July after the sacking of Steve Brennan. His assistant Lee Holmes is now the helm and his goals alone will keep them afloat. However, he has signed a couple of other players with higher league experience so they make a push for a mid-table slot.
Dave Ricardo and Selby have enjoyed a solid pre-season
Selby Town
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Top half challengers
Last season’s position: 11th
Selby have enjoyed a fantastic pre-season, but now we are down to the real business. Dave Ricardo has built a side of talented youngsters, who are likely to enjoy good football careers. Whether they can replicate their results in friendlies in the league fixtures is a different matter. Saturday’s opener at relegation candidates Winterton represents an ideal chance to get off to a good start.
Westella VIP
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Top half challengers
Last season’s position: Newly-promoted
Westella have to take heart from how well Penistone did last season. With a winning mentality and a side full of local lads, who had played for them in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior League, Penistone quickly adapted to the NCEL and claimed an FA Cup spot. There are a few similarities with Westella.
Worsbrough Bridge
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Bottom half
Last season’s position: 16th
It is a journey of discovery for Worsbrough, who have had a big makeover on-and-off-the-pitch this summer. New manager Mark Joyce is at helm of a young team which is sprinkled with a few experienced bodies. It is also about building foundations for future years. A lot is also dependent on the pitch and floodlights. Worsbrough do not want to encounter similar problems to last season when they were playing three times a week.
Yorkshire Amateur
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Top ten
Last season’s position: 10th
A surprise package of last season and who knows where the Leeds-based club could go this year. The Ammers have kept their big guns such as star striker Joel Hughes and have improved their squad. The capture of former Farsley winger Danny Hull is a superb coup and makes them a dangerous team for anyone.