Toolstation NCEL Division One
Ian Richards addresses his Penistone players
The play-offs semi-finalists are bidding to go better than last year in a campaign that they will be seen as one of the big clubs. That shows how far Penistone have come since joining the NCEL just two years ago. Losing Ollie Fearon to AFC Mansfield is a major blow and it is up to Danny Joynes to fill the void.
Manager
Ian Richards
Penistone Church manager Ian Richards
The mastermind behind Penistone’s rise from the low depths of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior League. The former Stocksbridge and Halifax midfielder continues to impress and he is rated as one of the best young managers in the NCEL.
Opening Five Fixtures
Cheadle Town (H) – Emirates FA Cup, Nostell Miners Welfare (A), AFC Emley (H), Teversal (A), Grimsby Borough (H).
Player Movement
In: Dale Kelly, Ryan Johnson (Shirebrook Town), Luke Johnson (Shirebrook Town), Joe Long, Scott Whittington,
Out: Ollie Fearon (AFC Mansfield), Alvin Riley (retired)
One to Watch
Danny Joynes
Penistone striker Danny Joynes gave
Prediction
Play-offs contenders
Interview
Ian Richards
Penistone Church manager Ian Richards
Penistone Church chief Ian Richards expects the most competitive promotion race ever in Division One.
Church, who lost to Emley in the play-offs semi-finals last season, are bidding to reach the Premier Division, but Richards is well aware that it is going to be far from easy.
“Last season we were hopeful of being in that top six, this season that has got to be our target,” Richards told Non League Yorkshire.
“That’s the minimum aim as we would like to compete for the automatic promotion spots. Emley are going to be extremely strong, Hallam are going to be strong.
“There’s also the new teams Ollerton Town and Campion who are going to be unknown. You also have Hall Road Rangers signing good players. I think there are going to be 12 teams who have a realistic chance of promotion.
“I think it is going to be a lot more open than last year. I think it is going to be tougher for us. Last season you had the bigger names like Mansfield, Hemsworth and Hull.
“This year you have 12 or 13 teams with similar quality. It makes it interesting and exciting.
“I’m confident with the players we have got. I have no problems about us competing, we just have to believe that we can be one of those two who get automatic promotion.
“We’ve had two successful seasons at this level and we want to build on it.”