Evo Stik South
Stocksbridge Park Steels
Non League Yorkshire player of the year Harrison Biggins has headed to the Football League, but the Steels should be able to cope without their showman when you look at their squad.
Who’s In Charge
Chris Hilton
Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton
Former Worsbrough Bridge manager Hilton has done a fabulous job since taking over at Bracken Moor in 2014. He steadied the ship in his first year before leading the Steels on two assaults on the play-offs – one being successful. He has also led them on two record-breaking FA Trophy runs.
Opening Five Fixtures
Spalding United (H), Basford (United), Colwyn Bay (A) – Emirates FA Cup, Stamford (H), Sheffield FC (A).
Player Movement
Non League Yorkshire’s James Grayson presenting new Fleetwood Town midfielder Harrison Biggins with the Crawford HR player of the year trophy in May
In: Ryan Carroll (Maltby Main), Alex Wiles (Gainsborough Trinity), Tom Charlesworth, Luke Mangham (Frickley Athletic).
Out: Harrison Biggins (Fleetwood Town), Josh Meade (Buxton)
One to Watch
Joe Lumsden
Stocksbridge Park Steels striker Joe Lumsden attracts a lot of Non League followers to Bracken Moor
The striker is a joy to watch for Non League fans across the region and the Steels have done well to keep him at the club this summer.
Interview
Chris Hilton is very clear with his ambitions for Stocksbridge Park Steels this season.
After finishing fourth last season and reaching the semi-finals of the play-offs, the Steels want to achieve more.
“The aspirations are to do better than last season,” Hilton told Non League Yorkshire.
“It is as easy as that because you always have to try and better yourself.
“If we could get automatic promotion that would be great. If we could get in the play-offs that would be great again.
“But it is can we finish higher than last season? Can we get more points than last season?
“Can we score more goals? Can we concede less? The list is endless.”
Hilton does admit that Stocksbridge need to begin the campaign in a better fashion than they did last season.
The poor start meant that they had to go on a superb run at the end of the season to break into the top five.
“For two seasons running we have gone on a great run at the end of the season which is great credit to (physio) Shaun Handisides for keeping the lads fit,” Hilton added.
“I do agree that we need to start brighter. It was a bad start last season, but Dave (Reay) was rushed back in after suffering a broken finger. We also had two suspended from the previous season.
“We need to hit the ground running because we have four very hard games to start with.
“You never know as the season goes on we may look to add to the squad if we have a good cup run again so we’ll wait and see.”
Prediction
Top Six