Toolstation NCEL Division One
Yorkshire Amateur
Ambition is pouring out of Yorkshire Amateur, their signings prove that. The Leeds-based club want to go where they have never been before. Local company Southerns have backed them to the hilt with investment. The Ammers are the team to watch out for, not just season, but in the future.
Who’s the Boss
Phil Harding & Neil Sibson
Yorkshire Amateur joint bosses Phil Harding and Neil Sibson
Phil Harding has been the driving force at the Ammers since arriving with Lincoln Richards in 2012 to save a doomed club. He has overseen the renovation of the facilities and the team. Now he is joined by ambitious Neil Sibson in the dugout. Sibson did a superb job with the development team last season.
Opening Five Fixtures
Eccleshill United (H), AFC Emley (A), Nostell Miners Welfare (H), Hallam (A), Armthorpe Welfare (A).
Player Movement
In: Ash Flynn (AFC Emley), Graham McLachlan (AFC Emley), Steve Mallory, Lincoln Adams, Harrison Blakey (Liversedge), Leon Henry (Ossett Town).
Out: Luke Hammond (Worsbrough Bridge), Carl Heard.
One to Watch
Ash Flynn
Ash Flynn is the obvious choice having scored over 100 goals for AFC Emley in the past two seasons. He has been on fire in pre-season.
Interview
Neil Sibson (pictured) is the joint manager of Yorkshire Amateur with Phil Harding
Yorkshire Amateur want to get promoted, but joint manager Neil Sibson knows it will not be easy.
The Leeds-based have generated the most headlines in the NCEL this summer because of their stellar signings – most notably Ash Flynn.
Sibson, who admits crowds are increasing, is open about the club’s aspirations.
“We’re hoping by the end of the season that the community will be really behind us,” Sibson told Non League Yorkshire.
“Even in pre-season crowds were clearly up from last season. People are interested in us and they’re taking note of Yorkshire Amateur.
“The signings we made have created excitement. People are talking about us. I’m having players and managers ringing me up wanting to know what’s happening at the Ammers.
“But we are not getting carried away. Nothing is guaranteed.
“We want to be successful. My aim is to try and get out of the league at the first attempt. If not we’ll go again in the season after.
“We’re in it to try and get out of this league. Our sponsor (Southerns CEO Andy Kendall-Jones) has said he wants us to win the league and he’s given us the tools to try and do it.
“We’ve got the players, we’ve prepared well and we’re happy.
“I am very excited and honoured to be joint manager of this club.
“I used to play here and I never thought I would manage it. I’m going to take the bull by the horns and hopefully take the club forward.
“We can’t wait to get going.”
It is not just the team that has had a makeover, their Bracken Edge ground is in process of having one.
“Southerns are putting in all brand new seats in the stand,” Sibson said.
“We have a new 3g facility, new boxed nets. The dugouts have been done, there’s a new manager’s office.
“There’s a lot of functions going on in the clubhouse which is generating money. There’s also a new fitted kitchen.
“We’re getting new gates put in, everything is going to be changing.
“It is a slow process, but we’re getting there.
“The place was in the doldrums five or six years ago, now people are coming through the gates saying it is a pleasure to visit.
“That’s not just down to the work we have done this summer, but a lot down to the work the likes of Phil, Lincoln (Richards), Tony, Bob have put in over the last few years.”
Prediction
Title Challengers