Season Preview
Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Handsworth
Louis Axcell, Jason Dodsworth and Aiden Spowage lead Handsworth into their first full season in charge hoping to build on last season.
Last Season’s Position 8th
Managers Louis Axcell, Jason Dodsworth and Aiden Spowage
The trio have plenty of experience. If you break Axcell and Spowage in half, they will bleed Amber as their association with Handsworth goes back years. Dodsworth’s calibre speaks for itself from his stints at Athersley Rec and Nostell Miners Welfare.
Opening Five Fixtures Penistone Church (a), Sleaford Town (h) – FA Cup, Golcar United (a), Emley AFC (h), Hallam (h)
Notable Transfer Movement Sam Finlaw, Jonathan Hill, Michael Trench and Johnathan Williams have signed. Local grassroots hero Rikki Paylor has moved on.
One to Watch Mitch Dunne
Interview
Jason Dodsworth says Handsworth are only focussing on improving on last season’s eighth-placed finish.
There’s no big statements from Handsworth.
“Ought better than last year (would rank as a good season) in my opinion,” Dodsworth told Non League Yorkshire.
“We finished eighth last year and we want to improve on that.
“I don’t want to put any targets on the lads’ heads because you don’t want to set yourself up to fail.
“We know we have a good side and we’re hoping like ten to 12 clubs are to be in and around the top six area – which I say anything to improve on last year.
Dodsworth has previously said that it is the most competitive NCEL Premier Division he has ever seen and he added: “You’ll find that everybody will be beating everybody.
“I don’t think there will be any runaway leaders. Grimsby and Eccleshill put a big gap between people last year, I don’t think that will happen again.
“It could very tight between a few clubs.”
Prediction Top Half