Darren Hepworth has brought muscle into his AFC Emley team
Darren Hepworth reckons his AFC Emley team are a stronger proposition compared with last season.
Hepworth has brought a string of Huddersfield-based players from the West Riding County Amateur League to the Welfare Ground this summer and he believes they have had a big impact.
A few, including former Harrogate Railway winger Nathan James, have Non League experience and Hepworth once again has high hopes.
“We have added physicality to the team and while they are good footballers, I have gone for players who are quite aggressive and strong,” Hepworth told Non League Yorkshire.
“We really needed to add a bit of steel to the team. I think we had a good side last year, but I think we have strengthened our squad and I think this is the best squad I have had at Emley.
“I said it last year, but you build on and that is what progression is about.
“You go on season after season and keep improving and we have done so I’m tipping us for a strong season again.
“Our aim is again to get out of the Division and now we have the play-offs which makes it better for the league as a whole.”
The play-offs were voted in to great fanfare at the NCEL AGM in Scarborough in June.
Hepworth, who is entering his fifth full term as Emley boss, has been an advocate of the introduction of them for a long time.
“My first reaction when I heard the news was ‘I wish they had done it last year’,” quipped Hepworth.
“If they had we may have got a second bite of cherry.
“I was pleased because if you at the league over the last few years, any one of the top ten teams could have had a chance at the play-offs.
“I think it brings the league alive so I welcome it.”
Emley are away at Rossington Main on the opening day.