Season Preview
Toolstation NCEL Division One
Athersley Rec
Athersley Rec finally have chance to re-establish themselves after several years of struggle in the tough Premier Division.
Last Season’s Position 20th in the Premier Division (relegated)
Manager Jimmy Whitehead
Whitehead became manager of Athersley early last season when Shane Kelsey resigned. He previously managed Worsbrough Bridge under 21s and briefly Houghton Main.
Opening Five Fixtures Beverley Town (h), Campion (h), Ollerton Town (h), Nostell Miners Welfare (a), Rossington Main (h).
Notable Transfer Movement Star attractions such as Dale Brettoner and Jack Briscoe remain and Jack Carter and Wombwell Main star Gadhadi Kiwanuka are among the new faces.
One to Watch Gadhafi Kiwanuka
Interview
“Stability” is the name of the game for Athersley Rec as Jimmy Whitehead aims to bring back a winning mentality to Sheerian Park.
Whitehead is not dreaming of an instant return to the top flight of the NCEL and he says he is realistic about his side’s hopes.
“We have not got a massive budget where we can attract the best players, we have to bring unknown players or people who haven’t had a fair go at their other clubs,” Whitehead told Non League Yorkshire.
“We have to do that and galvanise them into a squad and get them working for each other.
“I feel that is what I’m good at and I feel I did it well last year because there was an upturn in attitude and upturn in morale and we want to keep building on that going into the season.
“I’ve no idea how we’ll do.
“I’m not going to make predictions about being a top six or bottom three, I don’t know.
“We’re going to try and win as many games as we can and I feel with the players we have got and having seen Division One games, we’re certainly on a level playing field with being able to compete.
“Last year there was a big gulf in quality between us and other teams due to the financial side.
“If we can be in mid-table then that’s improvement because we will have the feeling of what it is like to win.
“We don’t want to be down there in the bottom three and I’m not expecting we will be because we want players who are better than that.
“Promotion is not a target because it is difficult to be a team who is getting beat regularly to then going to win every week.
“We’re knitting a team together so (targeting) stability is completely the right word.”
But the Rec boss warned that patience is also key.
“We didn’t win many games (last season) but what we did do bar the last month of the season when we did start struggling, we competed in a lot of games,” he said.
“I certainly feel we improved.
“There is a losing mentality and losing culture due the financial side of it.
“But I’m not one to look back, it is about what we do next.
“We have fresh ideas and we’re in a different league and winning as many games as we can is my remit.
“You have to be realistic because there will be teams in this league with fairly big budgets and obviously you have players dropping down.
“If anything we’re giving opportunities to people who have not played NCEL football before so it will take time for them to get used to it.
“It is not built in one day. I have been in this process before and that’s why I feel I am the right man because we will give them time and we’re positive coaches.
“If you have a positive environment you have the right ingredients and you have the best chance to get positive results.”
Prediction Mid-Table