Season Preview
Toolstation NCEL Division One
Campion
Campion are back in the NCEL and they’re determined to rest the demons from their nightmare in the North West Counties and to have a good season.
Last Season’s Position 17th in the North West Counties First Division North (lateral move)
Manager Lee Ashforth and James Bicknell
Tacticians Ashforth and Bicknell have been joint managers since 2019. Ashforth has previously been manager of Harrogate Railway, Clitheroe and Ossett Town. Bicknell has been with Campion for years, initially as sole manager.
Opening Five Fixtures Brigg Town (a), Athersley Rec (a), Nostell Miners Welfare (h), Dronfield Town (a), Harrogate Railway (a).
Notable Transfer Movement Where do you start? Campion have signed a host of players from higher up such as Joe Colley, Dan Illingworth, Asa Mitchell and Sean Hunter. Star Harrogate Railway striker Marcus Day has also come back.
One to Watch Marcus Day
Interview
Lee Ashforth says Campion aren’t shouting from the rooftops about their aspirations despite making a host of high profile signings.
Campion are tipped to be one of the title favourites, but Ashforth won’t be saying anything publicly about where he expects to finish.
“We went into the North West Counties and expected to do really well and we didn’t so I’d be stupid to put it out there that I think we’re one of the favourites for the league,” Ashforth told Non League Yorkshire.
“I think (people are talking about us) because we have been so active on social media and people are seeing that we made a lot of signings.
“We have a lot to do.
“It is a brand new team so we have to give them chance to gel.
“People can talk all they want.
“I was hopeful going into the North West Counties and we stayed up by a point.
“I’m not going to be saying anything daft that we will be league challengers or anything like that.
“It is our job to go into the Brigg game on the 30th July and play one of the favourites and see how we go against them.”
Ashforth says the Brigg clash is a good benchmark fixture.
“It is a good game to see where we are at,” he said/
“I remember putting something on social media last year to say don’t react after the first game.
“There’s a lot of ups and downs across a season and we had a lot more downs last season so we’re hopeful with the signings we have made and the move back to the NCEL that we can be successful this season.
“I’d be daft not to say (we have a powerful squad).
“The players we have brought in have come from higher leagues apart from Marcus Day who has made a sideways move.
“I think we have improved massively but you have to convert that into points.”
Prediction Promotion contenders