Evo Stik Division One North
Brighouse defender James Hurtley clears his lines
Brighouse have had a major refurbishment of their squad this summer as a few of their most successful players have moved onto pastures. Paul Quinn has replaced the departed with a mixture of youth and experience and is hopeful his new-look team can even higher this year.
Manager
Paul Quinn
Brighouse Town manager Paul Quinn
The Brighouse boss recently signed a one-year contract with the club. It was more than deserved because of the unprecedented success he has brought to Brighouse. During his seven years in charge, Brighouse have won the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title and become an established Evo Stik club.
Opening Five Fixtures
Radcliffe Borough (H), Ossett Town (A), Glossop North End (A) – Emirates FA Cup, Clitheroe (H), Colwyn Bay (A).
Player Movement
Steve Mallory has signed on the dotted line at Brighouse Town
In: Tom Taylor (Farsley Celtic), Steve Mallory (Scarborough Athletic), Luke Parkin (Leeds United), Jamie Frost (Burnley), Lee Spires, Fernando Moke.
Out: Adam Wilson (AFC Emley), Ryan Hall (Curzon Ashton), Leon Henry (Ossett Town), Danny Facey (Albion Sports), Steven Hollingworth, Paul Hagreen (Garforth Town).
One to Watch
Luke Parkin (striker)
Young Brighouse striker Luke Parkin with his new manager Paul Quinn
Prediction
Top Half (possible play-offs push)
Interviews
Paul Quinn
Brighouse Town manager Paul Quinn
Paul Quinn is confident that his new-look Brighouse Town can do well in Division One North this season.
Star man Ryan Hall has gone, but Quinn is confident that Brighouse can cope without him as his departure was expected.
“I don’t think it was as much as a concern because we controlled the situation,” Quinn told Non League Yorkshire.
“We spoke with Ryan in February and I said to him ‘you’ve done four years for us and have been loyal for us and you have pace and can score goals, go and have a go higher up’.
“I rang John Flanagan and recommended Ryan to him. That’s what we want to do. We want to develop players and have a bit of loyalty from them in the medium term.
“It is a selling point to a lot of the young players coming through. We’re also willing to give people coming out of the professional game the chance to put themselves in the shop window to get back into the professional game.
“We are an ambitious club and we want ambitious players to keep moving the club forward.
“We have retained a few from last season, but we are going to look different this year, there’s no two ways about it.
“We are in a position where we want to improve and push on and we needed to bring some fresh bodies in.
“We want to keep making progress and I felt we made good progress last season. Where we go, we’ll have to see because it is a tough league.
“We want to finish as high as we can. We have the nucleus of a good squad.”
Tom Taylor
Brighouse Town goalkeeper Tom Taylor
Goalkeeper Tom Taylor reckons Brighouse Town manager Paul Quinn has built a good team.
The stopper returned to Brighouse last month after three years away and he is hopeful the move will pay dividends.
“I spoke with Quinny and he didn’t need to sell the club to me,” he said.
“I was here for a season in the Northern Counties East League when we fell just short to Scarborough so I have a lot of good memories from here.
“With the way he was talking, he’s got big ambitions for the club this year and I felt I wanted to be part of it.
“I think we can have a good season, especially with the players that Quinny has brought in.
“I’ve had two really good years at Farsley and I have a lot of time for the people there, but I just felt that it was time for a new challenge.
“My time at Farsley has helped me massively. Getting two full seasons under my belt in the Evo Stik helps massively, both with experience and confidence.”