Season Preview
North West Counties Division One North
Campion
The late move to the North West Counties threw a slight spanner in the works for Campion as several players left. But the Bradford-based side are back on their feet having made some quality additions in the past few weeks.
Joint Managers
Lee Ashforth and James Bicknell
The pair have been at the helm together since 2019 and they have huge aspirations of leading Campion into Step 5. Ashforth previously managed Harrogate Railway, Ossett Town and Clitheroe. Bicknell led Campion’s rise from amateur football to Non League and he guided them to a Toolstation NCEL Division One second place finish in 2019 before Ashforth’s arrival. They missed out on promotion due to the restructuring.
Opening Five Fixtures
Garstang (a), Golcar United (h), Athersley Rec – FA Cup (a), Bury AFC (a), Cleator Moor Celtic (h).
Notable Movement
In: Mark Ferguson (Glasshoughton Welfare), Marc Lumb (Swallownest), Myles Foley (Silsden), Nicky Boshell (Liversedge), Lewis Morgan (unattached), Dan Keane (Pontefract Collieries).
Out: Sean Hunter (Knaresborough Town), Joe Jagger (Silsden), Mohammed Qasim (Silsden), Tom Brennan (Penistone Church), Leon Hurles-Brook (Penistone Church), Ben Bodle (Eccleshill United), Aidan Day (Eccleshill United).
One to Watch
Mark Ferguson
The attacker impressed at Glasshoughton Welfare and he brings flair and pace to Campion’s attack.
Interview
Campion believe their rebuilt squad is capable of challenging for the Division One North title.
That’s the view of joint manager Lee Ashforth who identifies Bury AFC as the team to beat.
Ashforth also agrees that Campion will need time to learn about the league because of the switch from the Toolstation NCEL.
“It is safe to say it is going to be a journey of discovery to start with,” Ashforth told Non League Yorkshire.
“We need to get our heads around the league, but we think the squad is good enough (to challenge).
“We’ve had to completely rebuild the team and we’re playing Garstang in the first game of the season and we don’t know anything about them.
“I have a couple of contacts over there who I’ll look to get hold of.
“But we have to get our own house in order first and hit the ground running if we can.
“You look at the league and everyone will fancy Bury, that’s unquestionable.
“We have to match Bury or better them.
“It is always our ambition to win the league. We tell the players nothing different.
“It is a new challenge for us and we certainly sold that to the players that we have some new places to go and new teams to play against.
“It is an exciting time for everyone at the club so we have to do the best we can and hopefully we will be up there challenging.”
Prediction
Play-offs contenders