Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Emley AFC manager Richard Tracey says he is pleased with his summer recruitment.
Tracey feels Emley have addressed the weaknesses from last season.
Highly-rated Handsworth captain Rikki Paylor has signed along midfielder Jayden Sandhu and local footballer Joe Clegg.
Declan Dawson returns after a year’s sojourn at Hemsworth Miners Welfare.
Stylish defender Dom Riordan is back as well.
“We’ve brought in experience and strengthened the depth of the squad,” Tracey told Non League Yorkshire.
“Last year we were a bit light at times and we ended using 12 of the under 23s which was a great experience for them, but whilst they were learning we needed points.
“We’re happy.
“He isn’t a signing, but he is a signing, we also have Rio (Dom Riordan) back.
“We lost him last season because of commitments at home so getting him back is like getting another new body in as well.”
Tracey has also made an addition to his coaching staff by bringing back a former Emley midfielder.
“We’ve brought in Ben Walker in as an additional coach and that gives us more flexibility with our training,” he said.
“Ben works at Guiseley’s academy and we’ve delighted to have him in because he strengthens the management team.”
Emley will look to improve on their tenth-placed finish last season.
Tracey admits there is a tinge of regret they didn’t finish higher as Emley were almost unbeatable towards the end of the season.
However, the poor start was down to reasons beyond their control.
“I always think looking back that it would have been the easiest year to get out of the league,” he said.
“That goes for everyone. It was the chance for a lot of clubs.
“Grimsby took it. Eccleshill were very close with their play-off final.
“Garforth and a couple of others were knocking on the door.
“I think we had had a good start we could have been potentially in and around it.
“With a full squad we were more than competitive, but with what we lost injury-wise, covid-wise, we just weren’t consistent enough to be at that level.
“We showed we had the quality with the run-in we had (at the end of the season).”