Evo Stik North
Ossett Albion
Positive changes off-the-field continue as Ossett head into the new season. The youth section continues to grow and the planned developments at Dimple Wells remain at the top of the agenda.
Who’s In Charge
Richard Tracey
Ossett Albion manager Richard Tracey
Tracey begins his fifth full season in charge hoping to enjoy a better campaign than last season. Albion did not hit the heights they were expecting to, but Tracey has been busy in the transfer market so he must be hopeful of an improvement.
Opening Five Fixtures
Colwyn Bay (H), Tadcaster Albion (A), Droylsden (H) – Emirates FA Cup, Atherton Collieries (A), Ossett Town (H).
Player Movement
In: Tom Claisse, Callum Charlton (AFC Emley), Joe Wilkinson (Liversedge), Kieran Scargill (Athersley Rec), Danny South (Sheffield FC), James Hurtley (Glossop North End), Liam Flynn, Brad Dockerty, Cameron Rigby (Maltby Main), James Kay, Ryan Farrell (Thackley) and Sam Robinson.
Out: Rob Bordman (Worsbrough Bridge), Brett Souter (Sheffield FC).
One to Watch
Jimmy Eyles
Jimmy Eyles in action for Ossett Albion during the 1-0 defeat to Colne last season. Picture: Adam Hirst
After an injury-hit two years, Eyles looks sharp and fully-fit again. Can he reproduce the form he showed during his glory days at Nostell, Ossett Town and Shaw Lane.
Interview
Ossett Albion manager Richard Tracey
Richard Tracey expects Ossett Albion to be a harder proposition for their league rivals this season.
Last season never lived up to expectations after a superb 2015/16 campaign and Tracey openly revealed his frustrations during the season.
Now with a host of new signings, Tracey is hopeful of a brighter ten months.
“The start doesn’t look too promising when you look at the fixtures, but that is irrelevant,” Tracey told Non League Yorkshire.
“You can’t ever look at fixtures and account points to them. We have to turn up, be organised and be strong.
“I do believe we will be a tougher opposition than we were last year. I think we have looked at strengthening the spine and looked at getting in wide players to create opportunities to make sure we are more of a goal threat.
“Obviously we want to be more competitive. Certainly last season, my biggest disappointment was that we got turned over quite comfortably on 11 occasions.
“Even in games when we are behind, we can’t get rolled over and that’s something we’ll looked to address.
“Last season was a slog. We had spells where we got results, but we weren’t consistent. We’d get seven out of nine and then none out of nine.
“We need to be more consistent. I certainly believe we have the quality to beat teams in our league and I’m still going to beat the drum and say we do a really good job on our budget.
“When we have been talking to players this summer we have been blown out of the water by other teams in our league and in the league below.
“It is difficult, but we are happy with what we have and we think we can be competitive.”
Prediction
Mid-Table