Action from Penistone Church v Shaw Lane Aquaforce last month: Picture: White Rose Photography
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By James Grayson (@jamesAgrayson, @NonLeagueNorth)
It’s already been a big week for Penistone Church manager Ian Richards, even before the club’s historic game tomorrow.
Penistone will make their long-awaited Toolstation NCEL Division One debut tomorrow, but Richards will be missing as he got married to fiancé Adina on Tuesday.
His brother and assistant manager Duncan will be at the helm for the visit of Shirebrook Town to Church View – a landmark game in the history of Penistone.
Richards has helped picking the team for a game that he dreamed of five years ago after taking charge of the club.
He told Non League Yorkshire: “From a personal point I’m gutted (to be missing the game), but there is nothing I can do about it.
“It is a big day for the club.
“The club were founded in 1906 and it is in the highest league it has ever been in.
“It’s the culmination of five years of hard work on-and-off-the-pitch.”
He added: “The first one (aim) is to establish ourselves and definitely to get into the top ten.
“We’ll then see where we go from there.
“I’d also like to have a good cup run whether that is by getting through a couple of rounds in the FA Vase or doing well in our League Cup.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on the club.”
Richards, whose playing career took him to clubs like Bradford (Park Avenue) and Stocksbridge Park Steels, has enjoyed a glory-laden time in charge of Penistone.
He has twice led them to League Cup glory in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior League and quite incredibly led them to the semi-finals of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup in 2012.
Penistone twice missed out on promotion to the NCEL in 2012 and 2014, but fourth place in the Senior League.
Richards will give “the lads who got us into the NCEL a chance” to show what they can this season in a higher league and he said: “It’s a tough first game against Shirebrook, but I hope we get off to a good start.
“I think it is important we get off to a good start.
“I feel Shirebrook are one of the favourites for the league.
“We then have Selby who have heard good reports about before a local derby with Worsbrough which should be good.
“Five years ago we said our aims were to get into the NCEL.
“I appreciate all the support everyone has given us and we’re ready for it.
“We do things right as a club and I think we will be a good addition to the league.
“I think the local community will get behind us too and they’ll be excited about the season.
“We’ve had a good pre-season against some sides in the NCEL Premier and we’re ready to get going.”
The referee will be Paul Matthewson.