Season Preview
Toolstation NCEL Division One
Nostell Miners Welfare
Nostell Miners Welfare have real credentials to be one of this year’s surprise packages. Ian Walker has assembled a fine squad and they will cause a few shocks.
Manager
Ian Walker
Walker is in his second year as Nostell manager after being promoted from the under 21s and under 19s to the top job to replace Jason Dodsworth and Simon Houghton. Walker was previously very successful with Robin Hood Athletic in the West Yorkshire League. Wayne Penny-Larter, Mark Pitts and Ryan Smith assist Walker.
Opening Five Fixtures
Hallam (h), Armthorpe Welfare (a), Shirebrook Town – League Cup (h), Clipstone (h), Teversal (a).
Notable Movement
In: Nathan Perks (Glasshoughton Welfare), Chris Ovington (unattached due to injury), Joe O’Neill (Goole AFC), Anees Younis (Goole AFC).
One to Watch
Joe O’Neill
The ex-Carlton Athletic title-winner is an unknown in the NCEL, but he is a quality player who should have stepped up several years ago before he eventually did with Goole AFC last year.
Interview
Ian Walker is thrilled with the depth of his Nostell Miners Welfare squad.
Apart from Amir Bechill who has joined Yorkshire Amateur, Walker has retained his long-term troops who have progressed with him from the under 21s and become established NCEL players.
Danny Edwards is back from long-term injury and Walker has also added vast experience in Chris Ovington, Anees Younis, Joe O’Neill and Nathan Perks.
“We have a group of lads who have come through the club and are not young lads anymore,” Walker told Non League Yorkshire.
“They are 20 to 23-year-olds and 12 have come through the club and what we do to add to that squad is key.
“If we add six quality players then we’ll compete.
“We have managed to get those six players so it is looking good and competition (for places) is good.
“How much stronger (will be compared with last season), I think we will be competitive.
“Where I think we will be stronger; it is not in the one-off game.
“I think it is the depth (of the squad).
“When you saw us against Campion we had six players missing who would have been starting.
“We have a squad with depth and it doesn’t matter now if someone is missing.”
Last season was a journey of discovery for Nostell as former Robin Hood Athletic manager Walker was new to the level and so were most of the squad.
Walker agrees even though the campaign was cut short, it benefited his men.
“I could argue that we didn’t get the 38 games so we lost the experience (of playing a full season),” he said.
“We didn’t have to go through as much as the rough time of having say six injuries or six unavailabilities where the likelihood is we would have got beaten.
“(The curtailed season) has given them that experience (of NCEL).
“I’d have liked them to have another ten to 12 games, but they’re now going into this season as established NCEL players and they believe that which is a big thing.”
Hallam at home is first up for Nostell and it is a difficult test for them as Craig Denton’s side are one of the title favourites.
Nostell want to be up there challenging too, admits Walker.
“North Ferriby are the team financially on paper that everyone has to compete with,” he said.
“In my hearts of hearts I look at Hallam knowing what Craig can do and what kind of person he is and the sort of team he will build around him and the desire they will have.
“I think from there on in teams like ourselves, Harrogate Railway, Worsbrough, Brigg Town, Rossington; out of that five will come in as a challenger.
“I don’t know enough about the Nottinghamshire sides who have come in yet, but out of those five I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of the group start to be a bit of a shock for people.
“On paper I think if we have everyone available we’ll be a difficult side to beat.”
What will be different about Nostell is the way they play as Walker is prepared to mix things up this year.
“It is this balance between the modern game to that more in your face game,” he said.
“What we did last year was all modern football whereas this year there’ll be a bit more of a balance.
“There’ll be more of ‘yes we know we can play that way, when does it work and when doesn’t it work’.
“We have got that old school in our team now and we’re be able to mix things up.
“Perhaps we’ll go away to Hallam and play differently this year because we’re hoping to be more competitive rather than hoping it to be a learning curve.”
Prediction
Top half, pushing for play-offs