A lot of top signings and three promotion spots make the 2019/20 Toolstation NCEL Premier Division season one to look forward to.
Non League Yorkshire has only predicted the top ten for the Division – in alphabetical order as it is too hard to decide where teams will actually finish!
Bridlington Town
Brett Agnew enjoyed a brilliant first season in charge of Bridlington Town and is hopeful of building on their third-placed finish. It is not a surprise given he’s signed Joe Danby, Lewis Taylor and Josh Greening from Pickering Town.
Key Man
Josh Greening
Garforth Town
Hope of a good season is there at Garforth. Adam Priestley’s much-heralded return has got supporters reminiscing and talking about the future in a positive way. Add the other signings to the one of Priestley and you’ll why Rob Hunter’s squad is rated as the best they have since the great days under Steve Nichol in 2011. Garforth have never had a better chance of finishing in the top ten since returning to the NCEL from the NPL.
Key Man
Adam Priestley
Handsworth FC
Handsworth are a wild card entry to our top ten predictions. The Ambers have almost started from scratch with a young team. Only four players remain from last season. However, they have good management in Russ Eagle and Luke Forgione, and if they can have a good start, they’ll only get stronger.
Key Man
Joe Thornton
Hemsworth Miners Welfare
Hemsworth are a very good tip for the three automatic promotion spots. Ever since Wayne Benn began his second stint in charge in 2012, the Wells have improved year-after-year. They finished fourth last season and they now have a stronger squad, with Rikki Paylor and Ryan Carroll being two of their summer signings.
Key Man
Nash Connolly
Knaresborough Town
Knaresborough had a good first season in the Premier Division and have added quality in Luke Harrop and Andy Cooper. The Manse Laners have always been formidable under Paul Stansfield so expect a strong campaign.
Key Man
Dan Thirkell
Liversedge
Ollie Fearon as a marquee signing was a great start to the summer for Liversedge. Super ‘Sedge have continuously improved during the Jonathan Rimmington era and signing Fearon and others have set their stall out for the year.
Key Man
Maltby Main
‘The Little Club with a Big Heart’ have had ambitions to make a push for the top few places for a few years now. Maltby are another club who have retained most and improved by adding quality. Richard Patterson is a stand-out signing.
Key Man
Aaron Moxam
Penistone Church
Can Penistone repeat last season’s heroics? Church finished second after throughly brilliant campaign. A lot of key men have left. Can their replacements step up to the plate?
Key Man
Brett Lovell
Yorkshire Amateur
Yorkshire Amateur have to be the favourites for promotion. The quantity of signings were low, but the quality was high. Niall Heaton, Aiden Savory and Ross Daly are quite some signings.
Key Man
Ross Daly
The other contender (from outside Yorkshire): Staveley Miners Welfare.