Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Thackley assistant manager Paul Clayton
Paul Clayton has thrown down the challenge of finishing in the top five to his Thackley players.
Surprise package Thackley are currently second after an incredible start.
The defeat to Hemsworth in midweek ended a ten-game unbeaten run, but Thackley are still well and truly in the mix at the top and Clayton is hoping his side can upset the applecart come April.
“It has been a fantastic first half of the season, we have been great,” assistant manager Clayton told Non League Yorkshire.
“The bulk of the lads like Pat McGuire, Craig Bentham, Jerry White, Joe Brown have been here a while and we have just added a few young lads to the side.
“We have a good togetherness which takes you a long way, look at Leicester last season.
“I originally came here with (manager) Chris (Reape) two years last October and we have been working and working on them and it is now paying off. Saturday against Garforth was our tenth clean sheet of the season.
“Athersley away in October was the game we really started believing we could do something. We were outstanding and we scored four great goals. Athersley were on a bit of a run at the time.
“From that moment on, we thought ‘hang on, we could do something’. There’s a long way to go and 16 games to go and there are some massive sides in this league.
“There’s Cleethorpes, Handsworth, Bridlington, Pickering, but we’re up there with them and we’ll enjoy it while we can.
“We believe we can finish in the top five – that’s our minimum aim. We’d like to break into the top four and spoil the party. It would be lovely.”
Two years ago, there were fears Thackley may fold. Now Thackley are in a good state off-the-field and Clayton added: “The club has been progressing throughout the whole of 2016.
“It was in dire straits in October 2014. The old committee has come back in and the volunteers look after the place and the club.
“We have a new chairman Phil Woolias in and he’s got a lot to do with the junior section. He’s forward-thinking so the club is going in the right direction.”