Toolstation NCEL Division One
Penistone Church celebrating promotion to the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Ian Richards wants to give his promotion-winning Penistone Church squad a chance in the Premier Division next season.
However, he wants to add some new recruits to ensure there is strength in depth.
“We are going to Newcastle this weekend for our end of season do and that shows the togetherness and team spirit,” Richards said.
“There’s 19 of us and there’s 19 of us going so I think this weekend could be very memorable.
“I want everyone to stay and be with us in pre-season. I want the whole squad with me.
“We do need to bring strength in depth because of the quality of the league. You’re playing teams like Bridlington week-in-week-out.
“I need four or five new players. We haven’t got a budget to bring people in from higher up the pyramid so what I’m looking for is very good NCEL Division One players.
“I’m looking for players who maybe have been on the fringes of teams and who we can give an opportunity to.
“I’m looking for lads who are Barnsley-based. They don’t have to be, but it makes it easier for us if they are because we can’t attract players with money.”
Penistone completed an unbelievable season with the sensational League Cup final victory over Bridlington Town at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane.
Reflecting on the triumph, Richards added: “We talked about the first 20 minutes and getting to a clean sheet.
“We did that and you could see us grow in confidence. We scored an excellent first goal just after we nearly scored from a set-piece.
“Brett scored before half-time and then Adam Rhodes made two excellent saves.
“The first ten minutes of the second half were about keeping a clean sheet and we did it. We matched them, although they did have chances.
“But our two goals were top draw. It is a great finish by Andy Ring and a great finish by Danny Barlow. The build-up play to them was excellent.
“Curtis Woodhouse just said to me there that it was fully deserved and that we had topped off a great season. It is nice that Darren Hepworth said that, the Grimsby Borough manager said that and now Curtis Woodhouse has said that.”