EV2 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division
Darren Hepworth says Hepworth United are a club “transformed” and ready to become a force in the EV2 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division.
Hepworth, with players such as Adam Lawlor, Enos Huly and Non League legend Ash Flynn on their roster, are heading into the new side with big ambitions.
“I think locally in Huddersfield, Hepworth United has always been hugely successful and that’s what led it to be move further afield because it wanted a bigger challenge,“ Hepworth told Non League Yorkshire.
“As a club it had a strong local reputation but in the last few years it has certainly gone backwards on the senior side.
“But we have done a good job now of putting the club back on the map and our objective this season; we certainly don’t want to be struggling at the foot of the table or fighting relegation.
“I said to you (a few months ago) that top four or five (was our objective) but I’m thinking we can have a real go at this this year.
“That’s not me getting carried away and I’m certainly not disrespecting our opposition because it is a very strong Division and there’s no gimmes.
“Every game is a six-pointer and isn’t that exciting. That’s what football should be all about.
“We’re in a much stronger place to compete in the league and we’re as strong as we could be.”
Social media is the best place to look to see how Hepworth have been “transformed”.
They got over 150 people for their friendly against Worsbrough Bridge and the interest in the club is growing all the time.
“It is unbelievable (how the club has been transformed),” Hepworth added.
“One of the big objectives I had when I came in was to have the junior section working with the senior side.
“We sit down as a joint committee and we make decisions in the interest of the club as a whole and we have a pathway for the juniors coming through and we’re already seeing it working with the under 18s training with the senior squad.
“They’re not just training, they are playing in games.
“(How the club has been transformed) extends to social media where we want to put the club on the map.
“We’re talking about increased awareness and sponsorship.
“We have an identity in terms of the hashtag #homeoffootball.
“All these things combined have completely transformed the club and we’re really excited.
“I have been coaching for a long time and I’m going to include my Emley days, this is the most excited I have been going into a season simply because of the broader thing we’re trying to do.
“This is real community stuff and what Non League is all about.
“This is the women’s side, junior side and men’s side working as one and whilst we have a lot of work to do, we’re starting to think as one club.”
Hepworth host Handsworth Reserves for their opening day fixture tomorrow.
Be top 4 for me at least