Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Bridlington surprised many by competing with the big boys last season. After some impressive results in pre-season, Bridlington are tipped to do well again.
Manager
Gary Allanson
Bridlington Town manager Gary Allanson
Allanson is in his second spell as Bridlington manager after returning in June 2013. In his first stint, he guided Brid to the Premier Division title.
Opening Five Fixtures
Silsden (H) – Emirates FA Cup, Bottesford Town (A), Hemsworth Miners Welfare (A), Retford United (H), Clipstone (H).
Player Movement
In: Danny Chambers (Barton Town Old Boys) Louis Kirk (Barton Town Old Boys), Kurtis Bedford (Barton Town OB), Michael Thompson (Hall Road Rangers)
Out: Jamie Reeson (Hall Road Rangers)
One to Watch
Brett Agnew
Bridlington striker Brett Agnew
Prediction
Title chasers
Interview
Gary Allanson
Gary Allanson, Bridlington’s manager
Gary Allanson is quietly confident at Bridlington Town can emulate or better last season’s 5th place finish, but he’s refusing to set an actual target.
Bridlington stunned many by mounting by becoming involved in the title race.
“I think we did surprise people and what people have to realise that we have been a team in transition over the last two years,” Allanson told Non League Yorkshire.
“In the first year we came back we closed out with a lot of the experienced players and we made a decision to go with young players, whilst keeping the right experienced players.
“We brought in a lot of young players in at the beginning of last season and it took a bit of time. On the back of that we had a very poor pre-season and that’s something we have put right.
“We’ll be a good side this season. We have a lot more energy in there, a lot more creatively and we have kept 90% of the players from last season and we have just added to that which is fantastic.
“For us to keep hold of those players, we must be doing something right.
“I’ve been in football a long time and I’ve learnt not to set targets and the reason being that you put pressure on yourself.
“The other one is that when you reach that target, complacency sets in.
“All we’re saying is make sure we have our identity, our DNA and if we look after the performance, the result will look after itself.”