Season Preview
NPL Division One East
Pickering Town
Steve Roberts is hoping to finally get a crack at a sustained number of games in charge of Pickering Town. He’s also hopeful Pickering’s struggles of recent years are behind them.
The Manager
Steve Roberts
The former Scarborough Athletic first team coach and caretaker manager was appointed Pickering Town’s manager in January 2020. He was previously a Pickering player during the ex-Newcastle United striker Alex Mathie era.
Opening Five Fixtures
Shildon (a), Pontefract Collieries (h), Marske United – FA Cup (a), Hebburn Town (a), Stocksbridge Park Steels (a).
Notable Movement
In: Lewis Taylor (Bridlington Town), Matt Broadley (Thackley), Aston Harrison, Jamie Thornton, Brandon Holdsworth, Lewis Hill, Adam Kelsey.
Out: Leon Osborne (Rossington Main), Sam Riches (Glasshoughton Welfare), Charlie Birley), Nathan Keightley.
One to Watch
Wayne Brooksby
Despite his advancing years, Pickering’s captain is still a class act and a very vital player.
Interview
Steve Roberts hopes opposition teams will no longer see Pickering Town as an three easy points this season.
Roberts is entering what he hopes is his first full campaign in the Mill Lane dugout.
Pickering have struggled for the past few years in the Northern Premier League but Roberts plans for the tough times to be a thing of the past.
“When you look at previous seasons and how we have done since arriving in this league, (people looking at Pickering as relegation fodder) is the way it will always be,” Roberts told Non League Yorkshire.
“That benefits us and hopefully people won’t think much of us.
“We’re hoping not to be around (the relegation) area as we’re hoping to be pushing on.
“Proof will be when we start playing football.
“We have spoken about the past history of Pickering being in this league and we have said it is nothing to do with this group and that we have to make a new chapter and be as successful as we can be.
“We haven’t spoken about staying away from bottom threes or fours.
“For us we think the only way is up and we want to rewrite the history books.
“I’m sure sides will still look at the fixture and think ‘Pickering Town, there’s a potential three points’.
“We want to change the mindset.
“I haven’t set an actual target for us.
“I just want us to be different from previous seasons.
“I want us to be on the front-foot and that’s the style of football we’re hoping to play.
“If we do that I see us getting more wins than defeats.
“We’ll see where that takes us.”
Roberts signed a great deal of the nucleus of his squad last summer and he simply built on it in 2021.
Recruitment has been relatively limited but Roberts is happy with his lot going into the opening day trip to Shildon.
“I’m pleased with the group and I think we have a stronger group than last season when lockdown kicked in (in November),” he said.
“We’re showing signs of getting better in pre-season so I’m just looking forward to the season.
“I’ve brought in a few players to strengthen but it is more strength-in-depth where we have improved.
“Last season I had eleven and then a bench was untried players.
“I’m up to 16 or 17 players who I do really trust.
“In the pre-season games I’ve looked at the bench and seen that I have options who are as good as who are on the pitch.
“That’s the most pleasing side.”
Prediction
Mid-Table
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