Season Preview
Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Silsden
Silsden’s super six signings certainly caught the eye and Danny Forrest arguably has one of the most potent attacks in the league. His side could very easily be this season’s surprise package.
Manager
Danny Forrest
The former Bradford City striker is close to his fifth anniversary as Silsden boss. He led them to promotion from the North West Counties First Division in his first season and he’s looking to establish Silsden in the NCEL Premier Division in hopefully their first completed campaign in the league.
Opening Five Fixtures
Handsworth (a), Eccleshill United – FA Cup (h), Thackley (h), Bottesford Town (a), Barton Town (h).
Notable Movement
In: Joe Jagger (Campion), Mohammed Qasim (Campion), Jack Normanton (Ossett United), Sam Lee (Knaresborough Town), Kyle Hancock, Khurram Shazad (Albion Sports).
Out: Myles Foley (Campion)
One to Watch
Joe Jagger
Former Harrogate Railway and Brighouse Town striker Jagger has consistently scored goals wherever he has gone and he’ll be a handful for defenders this season.
Interview
Danny Forrest admits his Silsden squad is the “strongest” he has had at his disposal since taking charge in late 2016.
Forrest’s signings have caught the eye with prolific goal-scorers Joe Jagger, Mohammed Qasim, Khurram Shazad arriving through the door to add to bolster the attack.
Silsden struggled for goals last season, but Forrest agrees they should not have problems this season.
“It is the strongest group of players I’ve had at the club, ability-wise, I’d be foolish to say otherwise,” Forrest told Non League Yorkshire.
“We have managed to get some really established players and some really dangerous players who have done it at this level year-in year-out.
“That’s huge for us.
“Hopefully if they can produce what they have produced for their other clubs then hopefully we will score some goals and be alright at that top end.
“(The recruitment) has been a big positive.
“I know you have seen some of the signings we have made and some of them have been long-term targets and I just felt we needed to improve at the top end of the pitch.
“We’re hoping (the attack) will be one of our strengths.
“On paper it looks like we have the potential to be dangerous so hopefully that comes off.
“I think the most pleasing thing is the different attributes they all bring.
“We have got tools to stretch teams, tools to play in little pockets, we have got hold-up players so the variety to adapt will hopefully suit us against most opposition.”
Although he knows his squad has real quality – especially upfront, Forrest swerved the question about whether the strength of his squad makes them top six contenders.
“It is hard to judge because you never know until six or ten games into the season (how you will fare) when the league table starts shaping,” he said.
“I know I’m not really answering your question there.
“I’ve always said that I have wanted to improve.
“The club’s highest ever finish (at Step 5) is ninth so to get in-and-around that and push on would be fantastic for us.
“I wouldn’t say I’m making any bold targets, but I’m hungry and I want to win and the players know that.
“They are of the same mentality so we’ll do our best and see where it takes us.”
What Forrest does on agree on is that the Premier Division looks set to be a level playing field for everyone.
“I’ve read a few of your interviews and I’ve seen managers say that it levels it out,” he said.
“It probably does because Yorkshire Amateur and Liversedge were two fantastic teams who have dominated the league for two years.
“Taking them out of it does level it out a bit more.
“But there’s still some very strong teams.
“Barton will be good. Staveley will be good.
“Winterton are have come back up. Emley are thrown back in the mix.
“I don’t want to disrespect anyone I’ve missed off because I’m talking off the top of my head, but there’s really strong teams.
“I do think everyone will be looking at it and fancying having a go and seeing where they can get to.”
Prediction
Top half, pushing for top six
If you have enjoyed reading Non League Yorkshire over the past few months, please consider making a donation to the not-for-profit organisation NLY Community Sport which provides sport for children and adults with disabilities and learning difficulties. CLICK HERE to visit the JustGiving page. There is a video at the bottom of the page showing our work.
NLY Community Sport, run by James Grayson and Connor Rollinson, has always had combatting social isolation at the top of our objectives when running our Disability Football teams.
Our work is playing an important role in reintroducing our players, who have disabilities and learning difficulties, back into society.
We have six teams, a mixture of Junior and Adult teams – Nostell MW DFC, Pontefract Pirates, Selby Disability Football Club and the South Yorkshire Superheroes (Barnsley) – across Yorkshire.
We have enjoyed great success over the past three years. Several of our players have represented Mencap GB in Geneva, including Billy Hobson from Selby and Greg Smith, whose story is quite inspiring.
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