Toolstation NCEL Division One
Selby Town
It has been all change at Selby Town. The brave new era under the highly-regarded Christian Fox is underway and there is a brand new team on the field.
Who’s the Boss
Christian Fox
Christian Fox was appointed as the new Selby Town manager in May
The former York City and Selby star replaced the sacked Nigel Emery in May after emerging as the “outstanding candidate” during the recruitment process. The former Poppleton boss is assisted by Jonny Bruce.
Opening Five Fixtures
Glasshoughton Welfare (H), Brigg Town (A), Retford United (H), Eccleshill United (H), Hallam (A).
Player Movement
In: Nick Kennedy, Jonny Iveson, Brett Lucas, Ben Lock, Vijay Malhotra, Andy Jackson, Joe Dale (Pickering Town), Charlie Clamp, Alex Fenwick, George Phillipson, Matt Mulhearn, Chris Dempsey, Tom Hullock, Joe Milner, Luke Wilkinson, Harry Bissett, Reuben Pearse, Andrew Metcallfe
Out: Everyone from last season, but Liam Flanagan and Tom Hogg.
One to Watch
Joe Dale
New Selby Town winger Joe Dale
The winger impressed at Pickering Town last season and he has done for Selby in pre-season.
Interview
Selby Town manager Christian Fox
Although his side has a number of young players, Christian Fox wants to have a strong season at Selby Town.
Fox has big plans for Selby and he is aiming to end Selby’s six year stay out of the Premier Division with his completely rebuilt side.
“The aims are to get the club back into the Premier Division, that’s what we said when we came in,” Fox told Non League Yorkshire.
“We have gone about the recruitment in the right way because we have got some good young lads in, mixed in with experience because we think you need that.
“We want to get this club promoted, we have been open about that. That’s our aim.
“It is a tough league because only three teams get promoted out of 22 teams.
“There is the argument that with a lot of young lads in the team that this is a transition year and that what we will make a push in the second year.
“We believe if we can get the right type of characters in then there is no reason why we should not be pushing at that top end of the league.
“It is quality over age for me. You go for quality first.”
Prediction
Based on pre-season results and the fact that Fox is still building his side, it may take some time for Selby to get going. There may be some ugly results early doors, but Non League Yorkshire expects Selby to very strong by the end of the season. So that’s why we’re tipping a mid-table to top ten finish. Fox is very capable of creating the best Selby there has been for many years.
All the players have left and most have gone to Armthorpe and battered Selby in a friendly. Struggled to beat a team who the were in the York and District league first division last year. Either the chairman has not given him any budget or they simply can’t attract the players?
I have watched most of the PS friendlies this season and quite frankly we are miles away from being a viable NCEL side.
With so many league matches crammed into the first three months of the season, a great escape act would be incredibly difficult to achieve.
Finally I must add that one of our keys signings is significantly overweight . He has been a passenger in every game that I have seen.
Agreed we struggled to beat a York and district team but I remember watching Tadcaster a few seasons ago when they struggled to do the same. It is a no win situation playing a lower level team unless you hammer them, you get criticized. We gave Brid a run for their money in a 4-4 draw and should have won. Give the lads a chance, dont judge now get behind them and see where we finish at the end of the season.