NPL Premier Division
Jonathan Rimmington says Liversedge have to be realistic about their hopes for the campaign on the eve of their Step 3 debut.
‘Sedge host Ashton United on a historic afternoon, just months after their incredible NPL Division One East title win.
However, several of their championship-winning side have moved on, including Ollie Fearon, Lewis Whitham, Gav Allott, Nicky Walker and Kevy Tarangadzo have moved on, so Rimmington admits it could take time for ‘Sedge to adjust to a very competitive Division.
“This year we want to finish as high as we can and of course we want to get in the play-offs if we can,” Rimmington told Non League Yorkshire.
“If we had kept everyone from last season we’d have easily been finishing in the top ten.
“Once you break up a team and you start building a new team with new faces coming in, it takes time.
“I think for us it is a case of let’s try and consolidate this year and see what it all about and then try and have a go next year.
“That’s the key to it. We have to compete in every game and I think we will and we’ll learn as we go along this year.
“We haven’t played in this league before and everyone tells me it is a lot better than where we have come from so it is going to be tough and every game is going to be like a top six game.
“Let’s be philosophical about it; we haven’t won or lost anything at the minute.
“We may surprise teams and I hope we do.
“I think if we finish anything from tenth to 15th I think we have done alright.
“I think if we can progress on that I think we’ll have had a good season.
“Let’s not kid ourselves we have signed some good players and it is whether they gel.”
Iren Wilson, James Walshaw, Sumaili Cissa, Matt Dempsey, Josh Barrett, Casey Stewart and George Procter are among the new signings.
Rimmington says the biggest challenge has been getting everyone together during pre-season.
“The last month has been a bit of a nightmare,” he said.
“When you lose people like Nicky Walker and Lewis Whitham, which was a shock as I thought they’d stay, you have to rebuild.
“I knew it was going to be tough.
“We have to knuckle down and compete.
“Hopefully we get a few back from injury, that’s the key because we have a few out at the minute so it hasn’t been an easy pre-season.
“Usually you have all your players fit and ready to go, we’ve not had that in any game.
“We have been missing three-or-four a game because (of injuries or) lads going on holidays.”