Toolstation NCEL Division One
Mick O’Connell says “continuity” ensures Harrogate Railway head into the new campaign in good stead.
Railway reaped the rewards of investing in their youth revolution back in 2020 last season as they reached the play-off final.
Those youngsters have only improved and are now men and O’Connell says his club are well-positioned to push on.
“They are a great bunch of lads,” O’Connell told Non League Yorkshire.
“You’ve hit the nail on the head, continuity of keeping this group together and the familiarity is massive.
“The lads have got better and better and you have to remember that some of the lads who were played for us last season were 16, 17, 18 or 19.
“They’ll be a year older with 40 games at this level under their belts.
“They’ll improve massively tactically and physically next year.
“If we can add two-or-three quality players I think we have a good challenge.”
Those “two-or-three quality players” have been identified and talks have begun, confirmed O’Connell who invited NLY to Railway’s second pre-season training session on Thursday night.
“We are happy with what we have got,” he added.
“We have looked to bring in two, potentially three quality players.
“Those conversations are still live and I’ve got to go meet one next week.
“I met one last week.
“Our biggest thing is keeping everyone from last season and if we do I think we’re a match for anyone in this league and we proved that last season.
“We ran North Ferriby to within four minutes of extra-time in the play-off final.
“This group of players have got better.”
