Athersley Rec manager Shane Kelsey has recruited two fairly experienced players in midfielder Innocent Huly and giant defender Jack Waldron.
Both are former Worsbrough men who have a good NCEL pedigree. Huly has also served Dronfield while Waldron counts Nostell Miners Welfare and Armthorpe Welfare on his list.
Kelsey said: “Enos has been a breath of fresh air. He turned up 1st session and instantly impressed us with his workrate and desire to do better.
“It’s hard to make a proper judgement, as with any player, as ultimately you need to see players in game situations but fundamentally the basic requirements you want to see in centre midfielder is a non stop work ethic, an attitude to push yourself and be a good communicator. Enos has shown us these basic skills in every minute of every session and for that he has earned my and the other coaches respect and for that deserves his chance to challenge the other lads in the squad for a shirt.
“It is now down to Enos to not only keep doing what he as, but to push himself even more in order to make sure he’s on that team sheet come the first weekend of the new season.
“This is the message I have I have been driving home each training session to all the players. don’t think for one minute that just because financially we are last to the table in this league and not far off the league below too and that last season was a real struggle, that they can take the attitude of just have to turn up and they have a place on the team. I don’t care if you have been here 10 year or your a player that’s played 10 season in this league or above. If you don’t work hard and follow what we expect has a minimum, then your not going to play or be on this team.
“It took me a long, long time has a player to ditch the arrogance and realise that you will never be a success in football unless your prepared to put team achievement before personal achievement. From what the players have shown me so far, we are on the right tracks.”
Kelsey added: “I’m delighted we have persuaded Jack to sign. It’s no secret that we needed to strengthen in that position and also add experience in that key position and to the squad. It was also important to add balance in terms of a left sider.
“Jack has previous experience at this level and it’s now up to him to show he can make the step back up and challenge himself to push on and improve. Again we would not have signed him if he did not show the basics we want in a player, a desire to work hard and commitment, but from the first training session that was not in question and I’m pleased and excited to work with him.
“We had to work hard in training, not just with Jack but with the all the lads new and old, to show them how we want to operate and gain their trust. Being a new manager its double hard to convince players you are serious about what you want to do and we had to make training stimulating for them, which with the restrictions in place has been pretty challenging. But we got down to it and it’s credit to all the players who have shown great attitude towards training and me and the coaches, and I thank them for that.
“We have now managed to add seven new faces to the squad and each one adds much needed quality. It also adds greater competition for places. The players have two options now. Either step up to the challenge and push each other to reach greater levels or don’t. The latter will not be accepted but I’m confident each and everyone will choose option one.”