Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Hemsworth Miners Welfare
Hemsworth are at their highest point in the pyramid since their formation. The Wells steamrolled all before them last season and won the Division One title with weeks to spare. A lot of people expect them to do well in the Premier Division.
Manager
Wayne Benn
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn
The former Bradford (Park Avenue) captain led the Wells to their historic Division One title victory last season. This is his second stint as manager of Hemsworth and his third full campaign since returning in October 2013. He has won Non League Yorkshire’s manager of the year trophy for the past two seasons.
Opening Five Fixtures
Runcorn Linnets (H) – Emirates FA Cup, Parkgate (A), Garforth Town (H), Bridlington Town (H), Maltby Main (H).
Player Movement
In: Sam Leigh, Brice Tiani (Liversedge), Del Pollock (Glasshoughton Welfare)
Out: Jason Yates, Shane Kelsey (retired).
One to Watch
Sam Jones
Jonathan Greening moves away from Hemsworth midfielder Sam Jones
With Jason Yates gone, young midfielder Sam Jones has a really good chance to cement himself as a star player for Hemsworth. He showed glimpses of what he is capable of last season. Now he has the chance to really put his mark down.
Prediction
Top half challengers
Interviews
Wayne Benn
Hemsworth boss Wayne Benn
The family holiday went well, but Wayne Benn’s phone was going into overdrive during a mad week for Hemsworth Miners Welfare.
One minute he was on the dance-floor or at the bar getting the drinks, next he was reacting to interest from other clubs for his now-former captain Jason Yates. Amid interest from Ossett Town and Brighouse Town, Benn released Yates, just days before the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round season opener against Runcorn Linnets.
That was the bad news, but there were soon rays of sunshine as Harry Viggars signed a contract and Cameron Clark committed his future to the club.
“I’ve been on a two-week family holiday and it was on Sunday when myself and the management team made the difficult decision to release Jason,” Benn told Non League Yorkshire.
“There’s been no fall-out and there’s no animosity, I just wasn’t prepared for the Football Club to be third or fourth choice so close to the season starting.
“Jason has been a great servant and player for the club over the past two-and-half years, but no-one is bigger than Hemsworth Miners Welfare.
“I felt I had to put an end to the uncertainty. It is far from ideal, but it would be unfair to the other lads if I were to say that it is a disaster. No-one is irreplaceable.
“I’m now back off holiday and we can start bringing in new bodies, something we were trying to do before Jason left. We were probably one or two players short two weeks ago. We are probably now three or four short.
“We have moved on and we’re looking forward to the FA Cup clash with Runcorn.”
Division One champions Hemsworth’s historic campaign in the Premier Division begins next Wednesday at Parkgate.
On expectations, Benn added: “We expect to go up and do well.
“The players are up for the challenge. All the people I have spoke to from Division One expect us to well. Talk is cheap and we have to do it on the pitch.
“We know the quality we have got and we’re going to try and attack the league.
“I think we will go under the radar and I don’t think we will be many people’s tips to be in and amongst it.
“The club have never had it as good. We are playing at the highest standard we have ever played at. Attendances are up and there is a massive feel good factor about the place.
“The club is on a big upward curve and what we have to try and do is matching that on the pitch.”
Luke Danville
Luke Danville is the new captain of Hemsworth
New Hemsworth Miners Welfare captain Luke Danville feels he has found a club where he can settle down.
Speaking before his surprise elevation to being the skipper, Danville admits that the last two years have been difficult.
Although he has the bizarre collection of three consecutive promotion-winning medals from Division One – from spells at Shaw Lane, Pontefract and Hemsworth – Danville knows he needs a settled season.
“I’ve established a bit of a name for myself as a club jumper,” Danville told Non League Yorkshire.
“It didn’t work at Shaw Lane after we finished second to Cleethorpes and I had to go my separate ways.
“You’re never looking to go into a club that is struggling so when a club like Pontefract the first time around and Hemsworth the second time around, they are fantastic places to go.
“It then didn’t work out at Ponte and obviously Benno got in touch I thought it was a fantastic opportunity.
“It has been a unstable two years. At Aquaforce I had a two-year contract, but I had a big set-back in pre-season when I pulled my hamstring.
“They signed Sam Denton and he’s a quality player and I couldn’t back in.
“The priority for me is a good full season at one club and I can’t think of a better club to do that at.
“It is a great club, the fans are amazing. With the side that are they building, I’m here until the gaffer doesn’t want me anymore.”
With the armband coming his way, that could be a while.
Even though he has only been at the MDC Community Stadium since February, Danville has quickly grown to love playing for Hemsworth.
He added: “I used to come here to play when I was younger when I played for Wakefield. It has always been a hostile place to come and play if you’re on the opposition, but it was brilliant when I first played in a Hemsworth shirt.
“Because the pitch is so tight you can hear everything (the spectators) they say.”