NPL Division One East
Vill Powell isn’t settling for second best, he wants Brighouse Town to be pushing boundaries once again.
Brighouse went on an exceptional run to finish seventh last season and Powell’s looking beyond that.
“You look at last season and it was a transition season because of two disrupted seasons so that was the foundation,” Powell told Non League Yorkshire.
“We feel we have built the foundation with the group and kept the core of the squad together.
“For us it is a case of pushing on again.
“Last season was a seventh placed finish and it is a case of improving on that.
“It is going to be tough as there’s a lot of ambitious clubs but ultimately we have to try and get into that group.”
The likes of striker Jack Normanton have signed for them this season and Powell under-lined why finishing in lofty positions is a great achievement for Brighouse.
“You say we have strengthened but our recruitment is potential,” he said.
“It is lads who have played lower down and not necessary proven at this level.
“A lot of the lads from last season it was their first full season at Step 4.
“Even though Laurence finished second top goal-scorer, it was his first full season at Step 4.
“What we pride ourselves on is improving good and hungry young players and making them better.
“If we do get in the play-offs environment then it is on the back of a bit of a surprise.
“But the expectation of myself and the players is to be competing at the top end of the table, not the middle or bottom.”
To break into the top five, the challenge is huge.
“You look at the likes of Worksop who look to be blowing teams out of the water with who they have recruited,” he said.
“They have signed players from League Football and National League.
“Your North East teams are always a threat and always strong.
“Stockton are part of that.
“Hebburn are going to be stronger and Shildon finished in the play-offs and the management team from Shildon have gone to Hebburn.
“Cleethorpes are investing heavily.
“Ossett have recruited well and Tadcaster have got stronger. I expect them to be a surprise package.
“Although Sheffield FC finished in the relegation zone, they have recruited really well and they seem to have invested really well.
“I think there are a lot more ambitious clubs than there were last year.
“Teams were coming out of the pandemic and a bit tentative and although there were ambitious clubs, I don’t there was as many.
“It is a lot tougher Division but as always our main aim is to be competitive and improve on last season and that’s what we are going to do.”