Evo Stik Division One North
Ossett stunned the league after mounting a bid for the play-offs last season, During their incredible run over the winter months, Albion occupied third place. Hopes are high again as Albion head into an year which is likely to see a major redevelopment of Dimple Wells.
Manager
Richard Tracey
Ossett Albion manager Richard Tracey
The former Carlisle United and Macclesfield Town striker has steadily built Ossett into a competitive Division One North side. His first two seasons were a struggle, but patience is beginning to pay off as he enters his fourth campaign. Tracey is joined in the dugout by Eric Gilchrist and Luke Potter.
Opening Five Fixtures
Clitheroe (H), Tadcaster Albion (A), Bamber Bridge (A) – Emirates FA Cup, Bamber Bridge (H), Ossett Town (A).
Player Movement
In: Stef Holt (Shaw Lane AFC), Jordan Bradshaw, Talent Ndlovu, Jack Alton, Pat Lindley, Jack Stockdill (Harrogate Railway),
Out: Scott Kerr, Cameron Lyn.
One to Watch
Rob Bordman
Ossett Albion striker Rob Bordman is the best set-piece taker in Division One North
There is no better set-piece taker in Division One North. Bordman is a threat from any position on-the-field. He can score from a free kick even it is from the halfway line. His ability from corners and free kicks put him in a different bracket to other players.
Prediction
Top Half
Interview
Richard Tracey
Ossett Albion manager Richard Tracey
Richard Tracey has the hailed the transformation on-and-off-the-pitch at Ossett Albion over the last three years.
Ossett are gearing up for a big year as plans for the new changing rooms and clubhouse at Dimple Wells are set to come to fruition.
Tracey believes everything going on behind the scenes is “exciting” and says it is helping to attract new players.
“The reality is that two or three years ago we wouldn’t have been attracting the calibre of player that we are now,” Tracey told Non League Yorkshire.
“The Stef Holt’s of this world were leaving us to find more stable football. Stef is a classic example. He came to watch us once or twice last year and he was saying he could not believe how better it was.
“I think it is potentially the most important period in Ossett Albion’s history. Pathway2Pro are bringing some money in and there is talk about the development of the ground.
“Over the last eight to six months, Dom has been putting a plan together for rebuilding the ground and it will be done close season next year and that will hopefully increase the investment into the club.
“The beauty of it is that when I took over as manager and Dom (Riordan) took over as chairman, we were stuck in a bit of a rut and it wasn’t an attractive place to come to.
“We didn’t have a budget to compete. We were struggling to get sponsors and it was a really tough time. The ground is slightly better and we have got a slightly better budget and now we’re attracting players and sponsors.
“I think it is an exciting time.”
Ossett Albion player/chairman Dom Riordan (right) is the driving force behind the redevelopment plans for Dimple Wells
It might be an exciting time, but Tracey is not setting any bold targets for the new campaign.
“I know you’ll probably hate me for this, but let’s get safe first and see where we go,” he said.
“But, being honest, I think we are strong and organised enough so that when we are playing with our best eleven, we can be looking to nudge a little higher than last year.
“That is our objective, to be better. If we finish lower than last year it will be a massive disappointment. It would be taking one step forward and then two back.
“We have to be realistic though. It is certainly tough on our budget. If you lined up the budgets in the league we certainly wouldn’t be high.”