The new Evo Stik League season starts on Saturday
Our Yorkshire Evo Stik League clubs are on the verge of returning to action.
The first round of fixtures for the three Divisions are taking place on Saturday so the time is right to assess our sides and predict how they will do.
Evo Stik Premier Division
Frickley Athletic
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Bottom half
Last season’s position: 19th
Forever struggling at the bottom end of the table, Frickley must be praying that the recurring theme will change. Having lost Reece Thompson to York City and Gav Allott to Shaw Lane, Karl Rose has another new look squad. It’s likely that another tough campaign is ahead.
Paul Quinn is hoping Brighouse Town have a good second season in the Evo Stik
Evo Stik Division One North
Brighouse Town
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Mid-table
Last season’s position: 14th
Paul Quinn’s men easily adapted to Evo Stik football last season and are hoping to do even better in 2016. Quinn has improved his squad and new striker Danny Facey is likely to score some goals for them.
Farsley Celtic
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Top half
Last season’s position: 12th
The end of last season was a huge disappointment for Farsley, who always go into each season hoping to reach the play-offs. Neil Parsley has admitted that he struggled to recruit this summer, but Farsley will still be a tough to nut when the season commences.
Harrogate Railway
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: 15th
Last season’s position: 8th
By his own admission, it is a rebuilding job for Lee Ashforth and Harrogate Railway. Time will tell how they do with a new-look squad.
Richard Tracey (right) and his assistant Eric Gilchrist (left) seem to be steering Ossett Albion in the right direction. Photo: John Hirst
Ossett Albion
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Mid-table
Last season’s position: 17th
Carrying on the momentum from last season is the aim for Ossett Albion. After finally breaking a few years of toil, Albion finished strongly and they recruited well during pre-season. Surely things can only get better and better for them.
Ossett Town
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Mid-table
Last season’s position: 18th
It was a little too close for comfort at times for Ossett last season, certainly at Christmas when they flirted with the bottom few teams. John Reed managed to steadily re-build his side with talented youngsters and experienced bodies. After a good pre-season and a few new signings, Town can look forward to a positive campaign.
Scarborough Athletic
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Promotion contenders
Last season’s position: 6th
Scarborough clearly have an array of talent and players with higher league experience. With Paul Foot and Bryan Hughes in charge, Scarborough are well-equipped for an assault on top spot.
Evo Stik Division One South
Goole AFC
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Bottom half
Last season’s position: 16th
Alan Semley has been working hard during pre-season to develop a young and organised side, but inexperience could count against them. What will help their cause is the ability to be hard to beat.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce are a good bet for another promotion
Shaw Lane Aquaforce
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Title contenders
Last season’s position: Toolstation NCEL Premier Division champions
Shaw Lane have everything they need for a fourth straight promotion – strength, quality, depth and experience. Craig Elliott has recruited well so all the tools are there for a good fist at the Evo Stik.
Stocksbridge Park Steels
Non League Yorkshire’s prediction: Mid-table
Last season’s position: 17th
Chris Hilton has always that it is a two-year plan at Bracken Moor and now we enter that second year. After getting his side sorted late last season, Stocksbridge were a match for almost anyone at the back-end of the campaign. Hilton has kept those players and arguably improved what he had with his new signings.