EV2 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division
Wombwell Main manager Terry Simon is looking up the table and hopes for a top six challenge.
Simon, arguably the league’s manager of the year alongside Gabe Mozzini last season, has had a frustrating pre-season because of several departures.
However, he is refusing to let headache cut the strings on his long-term youth revolution masterplan and he expects his latest crop of youngsters of being capable of doing well.
“I’ve got three-or-four new (young) lads coming in so it could be similar to last year,” Simon told Non League Yorkshire.
“Blood young players, get them into the side.
“On our day we’ll give anyone a game.
“If the young lads struggle at places like Gawber, we may struggle but I would expect us to be top six.
“If we get players back (from last season) it could be interesting.
“It depends how we start the season.”
Wombwell were talked about as potential title challengers back in May but the journey since then has been frustrating for Simon.
“At the start of the last season we talked in the interview about promoting young players and it being a test the water season,” he said.
“Towards the end of the season and I thought we had assembled a squad that was capable this year of competing.
“I’m not someone who just goes out and signs players for the sake of it.
“I only sign someone on if I know they’ll get a fair crack and good game-time.
“I felt we only needed two players to give us a chance of competing in the top three and the latter stages of the cups.
“We start pre-season and straightaway I got the slap across the face that players are leaving to go to Dearne – Owen Sykes Kieran Hirst and Cian Guest.
“Bailey (Cowsell) went to Dodworth and Gadhafi (Kiwanuka) who has come back now, he went to the Rec.
“Half of the team has gone and you’re scratching your head.
“It was a knock-back but I’ve always said ‘let’s promote the young ‘un’s.”
Wombwell kick off the campaign tomorrow with a trip to Sheffield Town and Simon believes it will be a completive title race this season.
“I’d probably say that Dodworth will start as favourites,” he said.
“Although Swinton have lost a couple to Dearne, they are always going to be there or there abouts.
“They know how to win and how to grind out results.
“Stocksbridge seem decent, they have signed Liam and Dec Childes along with Jacob Rickards.
“Gawber have got the same side as they have had for a few years.
“Wombwell Town will get stronger as the season goes on.
“Handsworth will be a young side and if they click they’ll be a good side.
“I think it is a lot more open league than it was last year.
“I think they’ll be six sides who can potentially win the league.”
From what I saw in league cup game Weds be more like bottom 6
How do Wombwell Main get away with signing 2 players from the same club on the same day as reported on here. It’s again the league rules