Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
It is not over yet as there’s the important matter of the League Cup semi-final to deal with but Steve Lenthall says Penistone Church can look back on the campaign with a huge amount of pride.
Lenthall, a clear manager of the year contender, took Church from a lowly position to a promotion race after replacing Ian Richards two months into the season.
Church will either finish fifth or sixth and Lenthall says his club have come a long way.
“We have had a great season,” Lenthall told Non League Yorkshire.
“We took over when they were 17th in the league and if someone had said to us in October that we would be chasing second spot down and be in a League Cup semi-final then you would have snapped their hand off.
“The club said (back in September) they would be happy with a steady top ten finish.
“The club is buzzing and you only have to look at the fanbase.
“We took two buses to Grimsby and we took another bus full to Garforth last Saturday.
“It is great to see and as a club we are proud of what we have achieved and proud of all the players because of they have done.”
Two of the main successes have been the introduction of several youngsters and the implementation of a new playing philosophy.
“The success of the season is how the players have reacted to myself and Jubby (John Whitehead) taking over,” he said.
“They have adapted to the style of play we want – it is a bit different to how Richo (Ian Richards) played.
“We like to get the ball into the middle thirds where we have quality players and they have adapted to that.
“We haven’t had loads of training sessions because we have always had midweek games since we took over.
“Everyone has put their body on-the-line and given us 120%. That’s what we ask of them and what the club ask of us as managers.
“We have also always said we would bring players through the club.
“You look at Reece High, Brad Kemp, Eddie Newsome, Alfie Broughton, they have all come through our reserves.
“I’ve shown faith in them and I think they have shown they have quality.
“It is like what I have always said; what is the point in having a base like we have with under 18s, under 21s and reserves if you’re not going to bring players through?”
Lenthall has already pledged to stay in charge for next season and planning is underway.
“Myself and Jubby have had a chat and we’re going to look to build on what we have got,” he said.
“We have to have a chat with all the players involved with at the minute to see what their commitment is like?
“But we don’t want to have those chats before the season ends.”
Penistone host Eccleshill United tomorrow.