Toolstation NCEL Division One
Jason Dodsworth and Simon Houghton have rescued Nostell Miners Welfare from oblivion and they want to take them on an amazing adventure this season
Jason Dodsworth admits ambitious Nostell Miners Welfare are a club transformed and one on the up.
Twelve months ago, Nostell were a laughing stock having just being reprieved from relegation and looking ahead to a season under Des Hazel, their eighth manager in 18 months.
Now Nostell are aiming for promotion under their heavyweight joint managers Dodsworth and Simon Houghton, who have already overseen a remarkable turnaround since their much-heralded arrival back in December.
“When we came in we were second bottom and the plan was just to stay in the league which we did,” Dodsworth told Non League Yorkshire.
“This year was always about having a push and seeing what we can do. The club is fantastic. The volunteers are fantastic. All through the club it is run in a great way.
“They deserve to back up the league. The place is absolutely buzzing compared to when me and Simon were appointed.
“The place was really flat. Now there is a buzz about the place and hopefully we can get the crowds up and the only way we’re going to do that is by winning games.
“The club is no longer seen as a joke, they see us as a serious club now.”
Liam and Jack Owen, Barnsley’s second best Non League footballing brothers
Jason Dodsworth watching Nostell’s draw with Stockbridge from the dugout
Kai Hancock is one of Nostell’s many marquee summer signings
Dodsworth and Houghton, along with assistant the Showman Ryan Poskitt, have certainly made waves this summer after making a series of marquee signings, notably Adam Hayton (Hemsworth Miners Welfare), Danny Critchlow (Parkgate), Lewis Akeister (Glasshoughton Welfare) and Kai Hancock (Athersley Rec),
They have also kept Barnsley’s second best Non League footballing brothers in Liam and Jack Owen, the talented forwards. Key midfielder Lee Swift has also stayed.
Dodsworth believes they have given Nostell a chance of success, but admits no play-offs have intensified the need for a good start to the campaign which begins at Parkgate on August 4th.
“It is a tough league and the lack of the play-offs makes it harder,” he said.
“It is not something I’m happy about, but the FA have made their decision. The lads know what we expect, we go out to win every single game.
“We have a good group and if we put into action what we are planning then I’m hopeful that we’re going to have a really good season.
“The first ten games are going to be key for everyone. The pressure is on everyone.”
Nostell demonstrated their strengths in the 1-1 draw with Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday, a few days on from the battering they received at Pontefract Collieries.
Dodsworth paid tribute to his players for their response.
“I’m really pleased because everyone worked hard and did their job correctly,” he said.
“We really pushed a good team all the way. Stocksbridge are a really good side.
“One of the most pleasing things is that after losing at Pontefract on Tuesday we worked for two hours at training on Thursday on defending.
“Conceding goals is a pet hate of ours and after working on it on Thursday, the lads have come today and only conceded one.
“They did everything we asked of them. They defended well, won their headers and they were dominant.
“We need the defenders to stick together and work as a unit and that’s what we are working on. Last year we conceded a lot of goals from being sloppy at the back.
“Now we have a pre-season with the lads, whereas we didn’t last season. We can actually work with the lads and develop them as our team and it is really pleasing that they are taking on board what we are trying to do.”
Nostell are in Barnsley on Tuesday night when they visit Dodworth Miners Welfare.