Evo Stik Division One North
There was a period of uncertainly at Goole after last season ended, but now the outlook is much brighter. The sons of the club’s founder Mike Norman have returned as joint chairmen and they are hoping to transform the club’s fortunes.
Manager
Lee Morris
Goole AFC manager Lee Morris
The legendary semi-professional striker moved into management as a number one in February when he replaced Alan Semley at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds. The former Frickley, Harrogate Town and Buxton forward had been the assistant manager at Shaw Lane. Morris is assisted by James Kay and Neil Stevens.
Opening Five Fixtures
Ramsbottom United (A), Farsley Celtic (H), Ossett Town (A) – Emirates FA Cup, Hyde United (A), Scarborough Athletic (H).
Player Movement
Neil Stevens played with Lee Morris at Buxton and is Goole’s new player/coach
In: Sam Robinson (Mossley), Rhys Meynell (Shaw Lane AFC), Lewis Bemrose (Gainsborough Trinity dual-registered), Joe Haywood, Neil Stevens (Farsley Celtic), Connor Glavin (Sheffield FC), Dan Morton, Alex Head, Charlie Shelley.
Out: Nick Guest (Ossett Town), Joe Thornton (Shaw Lane AFC), Adam Nicholson (FC Halifax Town)
One to Watch
Lewis Bemrose (striker)
Lewis Bemrose on the attack for Goole during the win at Selby in pre-season
Prediction
Mid-Table
Interview
Lee Morris
Goole AFC manager Lee Morris
Lee Morris is backing his Goole AFC side to surprise people this season.
Goole are in the North section of Division after being moved from the South in May – a switch that pleases Morris.
He does admit that his club have joined a more difficult league, but he is confident his men can spring a few shocks.
“It is a massive season for Goole on-and-off-the-pitch and I want to finish as high as we can, I don’t want to say a target,” Morris told Non League Yorkshire.
“As long as we cement ourselves in the league, I’ll be happy. Moving into the North made it difficult for us because of how late we found out as we had to change some of our possible signings.
“It is perfect for Goole because of the two Ossett sides, as well as Scarborough. There’s more local derbies so I’m just excited about it because there’s also bigger clubs and bigger fanbases (than the clubs in the South).
“It is a tougher league and it is possibly one of the toughest in the pyramid with the money that is allegedly thrown around.
“We have nothing to lose. People are going to think we’ll be easy to beat because of the budget, but I believe in these lads and I think we can give it a really good go.”
Centre-back Sam Colbear has been deployed as a striker in pre-season
Goole open the campaign at relegated Ramsbottom United and the big question for their supporters is whether centre-back Sam Colbear will be deployed as a striker?
Because of competition for places at the back since the arrival of new captain Rhys Meynell, Colbear has been playing upfront at the end of pre-season.
Morris hasn’t ruled out doing it in the league campaign.
“He’s the ginger Ibrahimovic, that’s what people are calling him,” he said.
“I was up at midnight one night and I thought ‘why not’? I think he can cause defences so much trouble because of his height. It is something we’re going to look at doing again during the season.”
Whether or not Colbear plays upfront or not, Goole face a huge test against a side that has invested heavily in the past few months.
Former Fleetwood Town and Salford City striker Gareth Seddon, a star of the BBC show Class of ’92, is a major signing and Morris admits it is going to be difficult for his side. That said, he has faith in his team.
“I don’t know what’s happened there as to whether someone has put a bit of money in,” he added.
“There’s the signing of Gareth Seddon which is the big one. They have also signed players from Ashton and Flyde so they will have a very powerful side.
“Seddon will be one to watch, but going forward I think we can cause teams trouble.”