Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Set for battle: Harrogate Railway 2016/17. Picture: Caught Light Photography
Railway step back into the NCEL for the first time since 2006 after finishing second-bottom in the Evo Stik Division One North. The club have also had a change of chairman as Rob Northfield has returned to helm having previously held the position in the late 2000s.
Manager
Lee Ashforth
Harrogate Railway manager Lee Ashforth
Despite getting relegated from the Evo Stik, Railway have shown faith in Ashforth by giving him a second chance. Ashforth, who stepped up from the assistant’s job to the top position, is a former goalkeeper for the likes of Liversedge and Glasshoughton. Martin Powell is his assistant.
Opening Five Fixtures
Albion Sports (H) – Emirates FA Cup, AFC Mansfield (H), Ollerton or Worsbrough (H) – LC, Armthorpe Welfare (A), Athersley Rec (A).
Player Movement
In: Gregg Porter, Jake Lofthouse (dual-registered with Farsley Celtic), Danny Stimpson, Cameron Lyn, Jordan Hendrie (Albion Sports)
Out: Jack Stockdill (Ossett Albion), Dan Thirkell (Tadcaster Albion), Rob Youhill (Tadcaster Albion), Lawrence Hunter (Bamber Bridge), Nathan Curtis (Frickley Athletic).
One to Watch
Dan Barrett
Dan Barrett in action for Harrogate during the 4-2 defeat to Prescott Cables last season. Picture: Caught Light Photography
The pineapple has gone, but the striker remains dangerous. He impressed after stepping up from the NCEL into the Evo Stik last season so now is his time to shine.
Prediction
Top half
Interviews
Lee Ashforth
Lee Ashforth is confident that Harrogate Railway can compete at the top end of the Premier Division.
The Railway boss is hoping to stem the slide after the club’s relegation from the Evo Stik and has set a positive target.
Ashforth told Non League Yorkshire: “From my point of view, we won six games last year. If we had stayed up or got a reprieve then it would have been another relegation fight.
“I’d like to think that this year won’t be another relegation fight and that we’ll be in the top half of the table. That means we will be winning games and that’s got to be more enjoyable and realistic for a club of our size, with the support base we have got and with the budget we have got.
“That’s not to say we won’t be up there challenging to get back to the Evo Stik because that’s where we know everybody wants to be.
“I think we have to set our expectations high and take it from there. Realistically why not? There are two or three teams with massive budgets, but everyone will say this year ‘look at Leicester, everyone’s in with a chance’.”
Pre-season has been difficult and the defeat to Knaresborough in mid-July was a low-point. Railway were poor in attack and Ashforth believes he has since addressed that concern.
“The priority was keeping as many players from last year as possible,” he said.
“We have kept the majority of the players which is important and we needed to add to that.
“Defensively I think we are strong, but we have needed to improve the attack in the last few weeks.
“It is important that we got Dan Barrett back from playing cricket early. He’s like having a new signing.
“Bringing in Cameron Lyn adds something different. I’m still looking to add another centre-forward and that’s something I’m looking to do in the next week.”
Chris Ovington
Chris Ovington had the last word against Campion in pre-season. Picture: Caught Light Photography
Star striker Chris Ovington believes Harrogate Railway can do well after agreeing to drop down to the NCEL.
Ovington, who joined Railway last season, is playing in the NCEL for the first ever time having always played at Evo Stik. He was the first player to pledge their future to Railway after the club’s relegation.
“I had a few offers to go elsewhere, but I like playing under Ash so I wanted to sign early and prepare for the season,” he said.
“I wanted to stay loyal to him and although dropping down a level was on my mind, I still wanted to sign. I feel with the players we have got we can make a good go of trying to go straight back up.”
Ovington plays upfront for Railway, a position that is new to him on at semi-professional level as he has always played on the left-wing for clubs such as Ossett Town.
“I like to play upfront and score goals,” he said.
“I was joint top goal-scorer after coming here in January.
“It is a new thing for me because I normally play out-wide or just off the striker, but I think I’m comfortable up there. Hopefully I can score a few goals.”