Toolstation NCEL League Cup
The only way is up: Ian Richards has taken Penistone Church from the depths of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior League and up into the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division. Tomorrow night he leads them out at Bramall Lane for the League Cup final
Ian Richards is hoping to cap off a fairytale season for promotion-winners Penistone Church with victory at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane tomorrow night.
Church have it all to do when they face Premier Division heavyweights Bridlington Town – a game taking place over two weeks since their magnificent 4-2 victory at Grimsby Borough in the Division One play-off final which sealed a place in the Premier for next season.
Proud Richards says winning promotion and reaching the showpiece League Cup final is an achievement of huge magnitude because of the size of his club.
“It has been the most successful season in our history,” Richards told Non League Yorkshire.
“We’ve won promotion, got to a final and also got to a semi-final. The play-off final was the biggest game in the club’s history. This is the next one.
“I think there’ll be a couple of coaches on from Penistone. We’ll turn it up in numbers.
“It means the world to us and it is an exceptional achievement to reach the final.
“44 teams enter the NCEL League Cup, 22 teams from the league above us.
“I’ve said to the players previously that they have taken Penistone, a new team to this league which doesn’t have the resources or catchment area of other teams, to a cup final at Bramall Lane.
“There’s some Sheffield United fans in that changing room and it is unbelievable achievement to win promotion and also reach a final.
“They should be very proud. The committee, the players, everyone, have put Penistone on the Non League map this season and we have worked hard to do so.
“Like promotion was, the trip to Bramall Lane is for everyone. Like promotion, the League Cup final is a fantastic reward for people like the secretary Dave Hampshire who has been here for 26 years and others who have seen the dark days and the lows.
“I want them to make the most of the highs because they deserve it. Whilst it is an incredible achievement, myself, the management team and the players still have a job to do.
“We know it will be a huge test because Bridlington are a very good side which shows in their third-placed finish, but we’re going to give everything to try and win the game.”