Who will follow in Brighouse Town’s footsteps by tasting glory in the Toolstation NCEL next May
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The 2014-15 Toolstation NCEL Premier Division season promises to be one of the best ever.
So many teams – most of them in Yorkshire – have put together sides capable of challenging for one of the toughest titles to win in Non League Football.
Outside Yorkshire, Heanor Town have made many waves during the summer with a host of notable signings as well as the retention of their top striker Kieran Debrouwer. The striker is staying despite interest from Alfreton Town and Kidderminster Harriers.
Let’s look at the chances for most of the Yorkshire clubs:
Albion Sports
Albion are always under the radar as Kulwinder Sandhu’s men always go about their business quietly. Danny Facey is returning and he scores goals – a lot of them. Albion have made a few shrewd signings such as experienced bodies like Brice Tiani, James Firth, Matt Mathers and Matt Morgan.
Prediction: Title challengers
Armthorpe Welfare
A lack of consistency cost Armthorpe a higher placed finish last season. Brian Johnston hopes that they will have consistency this season. He has to cope without captain Craig Morley for the opening month as he is still under suspension. Armthorpe have a good core of players, but it’s unlikely that they will have a spectacular season or even a poor one. Middle ground looks like their likely destination.
Prediction: Bottom half
Athersley Recreation
Athersley are strong again. They may have lost Joe Thornton to Shaw Lane Aquaforce, but striker Steven Bennett is believed to be returning. Athersley are a side whose motto is ‘never say die’. They did ever so well last season and they’ll surprise a few again in the next ten months.
Prediction: Top half / possibly higher
Barton Town Old Boys
Dave Anderson’s men were the surprise package last season. Like Tadcaster, Barton have added as little as possible to their squad. Anderson has already said they’re more prepared than 12 months ago. If they start better, who knows where it may lead them.
Prediction: Title challengers
Bridlington Town
Bridlington are there to “enjoy the journey”, according to Gary Allanson. Bridlington have taken the decision to go with a young squad, mixed with the experience of players like Tom Fleming and Ash Allanson. Bridlington have also taken striker Chris Adams from Hall Road. Patience is the key at Queensgate at this season as the youngsters get acclimatised to the Division.
Prediction: Top half challengers
Garforth Town
Garforth have come a long way in 12 months. Graham Nicholas has a settled squad going into the season and will have a competitive team for each game. Last season, Garforth had players missing in midweek because of Leeds Met commitments. That’s not the case this season as Nicholas has built a side full of unknown quantities who have impressed in pre-season.
Prediction: Top Five challengers
Glasshoughton Welfare
Glasshoughton face their biggest test since they returned to the Premier Division in 2012. Jon Miles is trying to build a side of local players. Some have played for the club in the NCEL before, some haven’t. The biggest disappointment for Miles has been the loss of players to Knaresborough – most notably top goalkeeper Paul Hagreen. It’s absolutely imperative that Glasshoughton have a good return from the opening ten games or they will be facing the drop.
Prediction: Relegation candidates
Handsworth Parramore boss Russ Eagle has added quality to his squad
Handsworth Parramore
Russ Eagle has simply added quality on top of what he already had. His number of signings have been minimal. Scott Maxfield, Warren Burrell, Nicky Travis, Alan Quinn and Vill Powell are all excellent signings. Defensively, in midfield and upfront, Handsworth have strength and power. Eagle also has Handsworth’s vast array of promising youngsters to come upon. The old guard like predatory striker Lee Whittington and player of the year Callum Ward remain so Handsworth are on the list of many contenders.
Prediction: Title challengers
Liversedge
After the departure of Eric Gilchrist, Liversedge’s season fell apart. Only the dire form of Lincoln and Winterton kept them up. This time around, Alan Colquhoun is in charge. Whether he can lead a revival remains to be seen.
Prediction: Relegation candidates
Nostell Miners Welfare
Darren Holmes admitted last week that Nostell are punching above their weight in the Premier Division. Nostell starved off relegation last season by putting together a run of results at the death. Most of that side has stayed and while they are relegation candidates, a positive start will see them shed that tag. The major problem they face is being unable to play at home for the first two months of the season.
Prediction: Relegation candidates
Pickering Town
Mitch Cook has a full season to work with his Pickering players. Youth and experience continues to be the theme at Pickering. The loss of Josh Greening will hurt them, but Cook still has plenty of the players who helped them score so many goals last season at his disposal.
Prediction: Title challengers
Shaw Lane Aquaforce
Arguably the most talked about club in the NCEL. Craig Elliott has made a string of wise signings. The early ones like Lee Morris and Matt Thornhill caught the eye, but the capture of Maltby goalkeeper Jamie Bailey and Sam Denton and Stefan Holt are as equally as impressive along with the rest of the new faces. It’s doesn’t take a rocket science to tell you that Shaw Lane are going to be fighting at the top.
Prediction: Title challengers
Staveley Miners Welfare
James Colliver is at the helm at Staveley and has been going about his business quietly. But, he has made some shrewd signings. Steve Hernandez, Austin McIntosh, Joe Flint, Nathan Forbes and Craig Fisher have all arrived and will take their place along with the ones retained from last season.
Prediction: Top half finish
Josh Greening is just one of three new faces at Tadcaster Albion
Tadcaster Albion
Tadcaster are aiming to ride a crest of a wave from last season. Taddy surprised many by topping the table for long periods and then finishing third. Paul Marshall has retained faith in the side that got them there. He has only signed three players – Josh Greening, Liam Ormsby and Andy Milne. The trio are quality additions so Taddy have a great chance.
Prediction: Title challengers
Thackley
Thackley are in the midst of a big rebuild of their team. A few players who donned the Thackley for the last couple of years have moved on. Former Bradford City player Luke O’Brien is their most notable signing.
Prediction: Mid-table
Division One
The second tier of the NCEL is just as competitve as the Premier. Outside Yorkshire, AFC Mansfield, Bottesford Town and Shirebook Town appear to be good bets for the prized promotion spots.
Striker Nathan Perks is one of two new faces at AFC Emley
AFC Emley
Emley thought they had their promotion-winning squad 12 months ago, but an indifferent start cost them. From November onwards Emley were a match for anyone and they have to continue that form. Darren Hepworth has kept the side that finished the season – only adding striker Nathan Perks and youngster Michael Starkey. From their pre-season showings, Emley are quite clearly stronger – it’s now up to them to come up with the goods when the real stuff starts.
Prediction: Promotion contenders
Eccleshill United
The massive blows for Eccleshill is the exits of talismanic striker Marcus Edwards and captain Jermaine Springer. Mark Tinker is at the helm at Eccleshill and if he repeats the achievements of last season, he will have done an excellent job.
Prediction: Top ten
Hall Road Rangers
Hall Road had to react quickly to the departure of Andy Foster and they did by appointing Lee Hastings. Hall Road have done ok in pre-season and a steady campaign is probably beckoning.
Prediction: Mid Table
Hemsworth Miners Welfare
Wayne Benn’s youngsters showed their mettle at the back end of last season and they’re ready to surprise a few again this season. Benn’s side are well-organised and he has promised to add a few experienced players to ensure they’re solid for when Saturday comes.
Prediction: Top ten challengers
Knaresborough Town
Knaresborough will be one of the teams to beat. Brian Davey and his new assistant Rob Hunter have assembled an excellent side by simply adding more quality to the squad that finished last season so well. Hunter, who has promotion out of Division One twice, has brought some of his best Glasshoughton players with him like Paul Hagreen, Hilliard Serrao and Liam Tuck. Knaresborough are geared up to do well.
Prediction: Promotion challengers
Penistone Church
Penistone have been wanting to enter the NCEL for years and Ian Richards has retained faith in his players that got them promoted.
Previous teams promoted out of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior League such as Athersley and Shaw Lane have gone straight up. Penistone are in no hurry and top ten is good enough for them.
Prediction: Top ten challengers
Lee Swift will be an important figure for Pontefract Collieries this season
Pontefract Collieries
The perennial challengers will mount another promotion bid under Nicky Handley and Duncan Bray. If their performance against Armthorpe Welfare is anything to go by, Ponte have a great chance. Shaw Lane midfielder Lee Swift is a wonderful addition to the side and adds promotion-winning experience.
Prediction: Promotion challengers
Rossington Main
Steven Brennan is looking forward to his first full season in charge. He’s got a young side, but they have impressed in pre-season and with the help of one of the best finishers around – Lee Holmes – Rossington will do ok.
Prediction: Top ten challengers
Selby Town
Since long-serving boss Bob Lyon’s exit four years, Selby have not had a stable season. Managers have been coming and going like a circus act, but Selby hope Dave Riccardo is the man for the long term. Selby have acquitted themselves well in pre-season and Riccardo has retained some of the squad and brought some good young players to the club.
Prediction: Top ten challengers
Worsbrough Bridge
Dave Mace hopes that Worsbrough will be competitive with a young side. His new striker Brad Kerr is already making waves and while Bridge might not be as fierce opposition as previous years, they have a decent season.
Prediction: Mid table
Yorkshire Amateur
Last season did not go as well as hoped for Ammers, but the key point is that Phil Harding and Lincoln Richards have saved a sinking ship on-and-off-the-pitch.
Ultimately away form cost the Ammers a chance of finishing in the top ten and qualifying for the FA Cup.
Now a year wiser, Ammers are more prepared to have a good season.
Prediction: Mid table
Remember to look out for a bumper two days on nonleagueyorkshire.com on Thursday and Friday when there will be a host of manager interviews ahead of the new season on Saturday.