Season Preview
North West Counties
Ilkley Town
Sam Dexter takes Ilkley Town into their second season as a Non League club and he’s hoping to take them further up the table.
Last Season’s Position 16th
Manager Sam Dexter
Former player and assistant manager Dexter was hoisted to the throne when legendary manager Simon Armstrong stood down last November.
Opening Five Fixtures Darwen FC (a), Runcorn Town (h), Bacup Borough (a), FC St Helens (a), Holker Old Boys (h)
Notable Transfer Movement Blake Wood – man who delivers worldie goals, Silsden striker Ben Clarkson, Shaban Mehmeti, Charlie Bell, Jack Lane and ex-Harrogate Railway left-back Lewis Seyffert are the new signings.
One to Watch Kevin Gonzalez
Interview
Ilkley Town manager Sam Dexter admits it is hard to pinpoint where his club’s season will go as it is going to be a step into the unknown.
With Bury AFC and Golcar United departing, there is no clear favourite for the title.
Dexter isn’t publicly setting a target but he does want a stronger start.
“From my perspective I’m not looking at anyone else or worrying about anyone else.” Dexter told Non League Yorkshire.
“My main focus is we concentrate on the players we have got here.
“Without sounding too much like a cliche we take one game at a time.
“Last year we had a tough start as we lost our first five.
“We don’t want to be in the same position again.
“I’m not going to stand here and make bold predictions.
“We have goals set within the group but those goals remain private.
“There were managers last season who said they were going to push for promotion and they ended up around mid-table. You make yourself look silly.
“From our perspective there is no Bury, they have gone up. No Golcar who had a big budget.
“From a neutral’s point of view you’d say the league is wide open but by looking at Twitter everyone has recruited and are strong.
“It is an unknown, anything could happen.”