Promoted players to get chance in Prem

Pontefract Collieries captain Nigel Danby (left) and joint manager Nick Handley (right) celebrate winning promotion

Nick Handley has pledged to give Pontefract Collieries’ promotion-winning a chance in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division next year.

Pontefract are returning to the Premier Division for the first time since 1999 after finishing as Division One runners-up.

The Collieries missed out on the title after losing to AFC Mansfield in their last game on Saturday.

The task now is to start preparing for life in the Premier Division.

Joint manager Handley told Non League Yorkshire: “We can start planning for next year.

“I think the team we have now will do reasonably well in the Premier Division.

“It is a big step-up especially in the top half of the table. But, let’s see how we build in the summer.

“First of all we need to make sure we retain all the lads who have got us up because ultimately they have been a quality squad of lads.

“We hope every single one of these lads sign. We have treated them well and looked after them.

“They have looked after us and we have a really good mentality.

“I feel we can compete with the current squad.

“As a manager you’re always thinking is there anyone who can strengthen us, but we’ll only bring players in if we think they can strengthen us.”

Handley shares the manager’s role with Duncan Bray – a rare thing in modern day football.

Asked why the double act has been so successful, Handley said: “We do spend a lot of time on the phone together to be fair.

“So many people turned their eyebrows up at joint managers when it was announced, but me or Dunc never had a problem with it.

“We bounce off each other and I personally think it helps take the pressure off.

“One person can take a lead, the other can take a backseat.

“We both have pressure on with work so we can flit.”