Season Preview
Toolstation NCEL Division One
Nostell Miners Welfare
Who’s ready for the big kick off? The Toolstation NCEL season finally starts on Saturday and we’re beginning our in-depth season previews with a look at Nostell Miners Welfare.
Last Season’s Position 14th
Manager Ian Walker
Walker is in his third year as Nostell manager after being promoted from the under 21s and under 19s to the top job to replace Jason Dodsworth and Simon Houghton. Walker was previously very successful with Robin Hood Athletic in the West Yorkshire League. Wayne Penny-Larter and Ryan Smith assist Walker.
Opening Five Fixtures Retford FC (a), Brigg Town (h), Campion (h), Athersley Rec (h), Dronfield Town (h)
Notable Transfer Movement Former Goole AFC attacker Tawheed Ahmed is one of Nostell’s summer signings.
One to Watch Harvey Booth
Interview
Ian Walker has set the ambition bar high at Nostell Miners Welfare this season.
Walker still has the core of his under 19s playing for him and he wants to see them up near the top of the table challenging for the top five.
“Top five has got to be the aspiration, the aspiration has to be to get into the play-offs,” Walker told Non League Yorkshire.
“We have made a couple of great signings that we haven’t publicised and the aspiration is to get up.
“In every game we have played (in pre-season) at times we have looked dominant.
“We just have to keep that (core) squad playing and we’ll be fine.
“These young players need to become men and there’s no excuses.
“They are good players and they have looked good.”
To outsiders, Walker’s target may be a surprise – especially considering how poorly Nostell finished last season and how iffy their pre-season results have been.
“I hope nobody knows anything about us when we go to Retford,” he said.
“We have not publicised who we have signed and the style of football we are going to try and play.
“We have various options this season and a much stronger squad than last season.
“In the next four weeks we will have a squad stronger than we had at any point last season.”
Walker singles out Brigg Town as title favourites and he says the field is wide for the top five.
“Brigg are my favourites,” he said.
“Beyond that, there are a lot of young sides who are getting older (and stronger).
“Worsbrough look great.
“Rossington are the same along with Harrogate.
“Beverley look like they are doing business.
“I fancied Parkgate as an outsider this year but who knows how they’ll do.
“Wakefield will be competitive.
“From top to bottom I don’t think there is much in but when it comes to it, Brigg are the only side who have got the real experience at the moment.
“All the rest of us are the similar model of young players with a sprinkling of experience.”
Prediction Top Half