Toolstation NCEL Division One
Danny Patterson is aiming to add more titles to his glittering Non League career by achieving success with Hallam this season.
The midfielder is a multi-promotion winner with glory with Shaw Lane Aquaforce, Handsworth and Worksop Town being on his CV.
Sandygate manager Craig Denton has recruited impressively again this summer and Patterson expects Hallam to be very competitive.
“We’ve made some big signings in James Gregory and Danny Deakin from Sheffield FC, Adam Baskerville from Armthorpe who scored loads last year and we’ve not lost a single player from last year,” Patterson Non League Yorkshire.
“The squad is full of experience and also some brilliant young players coming through like Iren Wilson and Brandon Bradbury.
“I’m really looking forward to (the season).
“It’s been a very strange few seasons for probably everyone.
“Even last season I think we all knew we wouldn’t finish it and now normality seems to be coming back and we can finally start and finish a season.
“The league looks very strong this season but if we wasn’t talked about as promotion candidates I would be worried.
“The squad today from a year ago is so much stronger in every department which I think people know and with that comes an expectation to do well.
“It will be tough with only one automatic (promotion spot) and the other being via play offs and as you say North Ferriby will be big favourites, but we don’t fear anyone if I’m being honest which I’m sure the others won’t either.
“A good start is always ideal and every game is important but I’ve always been a big believer that leagues are won in the colder winter months especially in the NCEL.
“As soon as the weather changes, the pitches start cutting up you see teams dropping points everywhere.
“You put a big run together through them months then you normally aren’t far off come March and April.”
Patterson also reserved for manager Denton who he has now played for at two different clubs.
“He’s very busy as a manager which you need to be obviously, he’s always at games watching others sides/players always preparing,” he said.
“The changing room is so important for me and at Worksop and now Hallam he seems to have to got it spot on.
“You can’t fault his record. The Worksop side was built from scratch and it’s the same here, hopefully with a similar end result.
“Don’t forget though he has a very good team with him as well in Rob Poulter, Wayne Thompson, and James Humphreys.”
Hallam’s first league game is at Nostell Miners Welfare on Saturday.