Toolstation NCEL Division One
Knaresborough Town
Knaresborough have come close to breaking into the play-offs in the past two seasons. Now with some heavy duty signings, they look capable of getting into the top six as a bare minimum.
Who’s the Boss
Paul Stansfield
Knaresborough Town manager Paul Stansfield
Former player Stansfield is starting his third full season in charge of Knaresborough. He has a new assistant in Paul Clayton.
Opening Five Fixtures
Nostell Miners Welfare (H), Grimsby Borough (A), Worsbrough Bridge (H), Campion (A), Armthorpe Welfare (A).
Player Movement
In: Dan Clayton (Thackley), Gregg Anderson (Tadcaster Albion), Stephen Bromley (Harrogate Railway), Greg Kidd (Harrogate Railway).
Out: Dan McDaid (Harrogate Railway)
One to Watch
Steve Bromley
Steve Bromley was immensely popular at Harrogate Railway. Picture: Caught Light Photography
The striker was a talismanic figure for Harrogate Railway last season and crucially for Knaresborough, he knows where the net is.
Interview
Knaresborough Town manager Paul Stansfield
Paul Stansfield wants to have a successful season at Knaresborough Town.
It is hardly surprising considering his very successful foray in the transfer market to sign some very good players, such as Tadcaster Albion defender Gregg Anderson.
“I’m a winner and I want the lads we have signed are winners so we want to be as close to the top as we can possibly be,” Stansfield told Non League Yorkshire.
“There’s some stupid money being thrown around in the league and there’ll be pressure on terms to deliver. But we haven’t got a huge budget and I think we have used it well.
“We are good to go. I don’t think there will be any pressure on us, little Knaresborough.
“No-one gives us a chance each other.
“We finished seventh last season so we want progression so we would be disappointed if we didn’t get in.
“This league is funny. You get a couple of teams who are ambitious, a couple of teams who find something and get players in, you just don’t know.
“I’m not focusing on what others are doing at all. We have to focus on doing things right. If you look at other teams, you become side-tracked and you can’t do that.”
Prediction
Promotion Contenders