Having floated around the Evo Stik and Ncel League's for a fair few years, traveling around Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, visiting some lovely clubs, taking in some spectacular scenery, meeting up with old acquaintances and making many new friends along the way; you`d think it would be easy as pie to make a prediction for who will be in the running for the top honours come next May.... but as we all know, it's a crazy old game is this football.!!
I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to the beloved game but accept you either have to have an unreserved pot of cash, drop onto a very good crop of talented and committed youngsters or you have to just 'win ugly' to achieve the highest accolades.
Some clubs are prepared to chuck money about like Confetti to try and reach the next level, where some prefer to "do what is right for the club", so to speak; taking things as, or when they come. For me, neither way is right or wrong, as long as the interested parties are prepared to accept the pitfalls of their chosen path.
Some clubs are prepared to chuck money about like Confetti to try and reach the next level, where some prefer to "do what is right for the club", so to speak; taking things as, or when they come. For me, neither way is right or wrong, as long as the interested parties are prepared to accept the pitfalls of their chosen path.
So, here we go. Based on what I've seen in recent seasons, and...not being totally dismissive of the stuff I haven't seen, here's my predictions for the upcoming season.
Northern Premier League
Blyth Spartans I'm not even going to unconvince myself that after such a supreme spell of dominance that they will make a repeat performance of last season seeing the title whipped from under their noses by Darlington, compounded even further by seeing Salford go up by virtue of the play-offs.
Having watched Ashton United reach their third consecutive play-off spot, surely yet ironically, the club with the smallest attendances in the league has found a formula which simply works, and by my reckoning and the law of averages, it's simply got to happen one day for them.
For some reason I think Rushall Olympic are due to make a resurgence, the club is steadily getting over the mass exodus of management and players to Stafford Rangers and should be getting back on an even keel sooner or later. Stourbridge are well capable at mincing it out over the course of a season and should be up there again.
Of the Newbies, The afore mentioned Stafford Rangers, looked a robust and physical outfit, which should serve them well at the next level. Warrington had a stormer of a season in Division 1 North, losing only two games and drawing one so their confidence about the upcoming season should be high.
Evo-Stik Division 1 North
I`m going to hold my hands up and admit, although I follow the results in the North 1, it`s not a league I get to see a deal of at all, apart from when Scarborough Athletic are playing at a club that within my usual boundaries, something I intend to address in the near future. So for now, i`ll leave any predictions to those more in-the-know.
Northern Premier League
Blyth Spartans I'm not even going to unconvince myself that after such a supreme spell of dominance that they will make a repeat performance of last season seeing the title whipped from under their noses by Darlington, compounded even further by seeing Salford go up by virtue of the play-offs.
Having watched Ashton United reach their third consecutive play-off spot, surely yet ironically, the club with the smallest attendances in the league has found a formula which simply works, and by my reckoning and the law of averages, it's simply got to happen one day for them.
For some reason I think Rushall Olympic are due to make a resurgence, the club is steadily getting over the mass exodus of management and players to Stafford Rangers and should be getting back on an even keel sooner or later. Stourbridge are well capable at mincing it out over the course of a season and should be up there again.
Of the Newbies, The afore mentioned Stafford Rangers, looked a robust and physical outfit, which should serve them well at the next level. Warrington had a stormer of a season in Division 1 North, losing only two games and drawing one so their confidence about the upcoming season should be high.
Evo-Stik Division 1 North
I`m going to hold my hands up and admit, although I follow the results in the North 1, it`s not a league I get to see a deal of at all, apart from when Scarborough Athletic are playing at a club that within my usual boundaries, something I intend to address in the near future. So for now, i`ll leave any predictions to those more in-the-know.
Evo-Stik Division 1 South
Taking all things into account, it's hard not to see Shaw Lane being there or there abouts again. Craig Woods determination to reach the next level is relentless, and with the money to do it, surely it's only a matter of time before the Club reach Step 3.
Stocksbridge Park Steels, Chris Hilton's 'Young Guns' just seemed to go from strength to strength as last season progressed, learning the league and adapting a style of play which was very easy on the eye. Dave Frecklington had an excellent campaign last season with Lincoln United, and if the club have managed to retain most of that squad they shouldn`t be too far off again come May.
Dave Frecklington has made the switch to Spalding Town for the upcoming season, and despite mixed opinions during the PSF`s, Frecks always seems to produce very competitive sides...so we will have to wait and see, but I wouldn`t be surprised to see them in the mix. Of newbies, Witton Albion are probably the side who I would imagine might be capable of causing an upset.
Stocksbridge Park Steels, Chris Hilton's 'Young Guns' just seemed to go from strength to strength as last season progressed, learning the league and adapting a style of play which was very easy on the eye. Dave Frecklington had an excellent campaign last season with Lincoln United, and if the club have managed to retain most of that squad they shouldn`t be too far off again come May.
Dave Frecklington has made the switch to Spalding Town for the upcoming season, and despite mixed opinions during the PSF`s, Frecks always seems to produce very competitive sides...so we will have to wait and see, but I wouldn`t be surprised to see them in the mix. Of newbies, Witton Albion are probably the side who I would imagine might be capable of causing an upset.
Ncel Premier Division
The scourge of the North, a bottle-neck of a league with just one promotion spot which represents the only pathway to Step 4 for many sides in our area, countless hundreds of thousands of pounds have been chucked at the game in this league with all involved knowing their will only be one benefactor for such investment come May.
Following on from previous failed attempts to escape it, Handsworth Parramore seems to be the club on everyone`s tongues again; and although I subscribe to some of what people are saying; if, they can get off to a better start than they did last season, I really fancy Cleethorpes Town this season.
A series of unexpected defeats at the start of last season cost them dearly, but they finished the season in style, totally outplaying Tadcaster Albion in the final of the League Cup; a fine young side who have a great sense of togetherness, they work hard for each other as a unit and have an abundance of candidates capable of scoring goals.
Teams to run these two close are; despite Pete Smurthwaite's reluctance to take the club back up to Step 4.... Bridlington Town are always in and around and I can`t see this season being any different. After a speight of postponements last winter Liversedge made a profound surge up the table, so it will be interesting to see if they can carry that form into the new season. Afc Mansfield might be a surprise contender, speaking to Rudy Funk a couple of weeks ago, he was oozing confidence and full of expectation, having secured some decent signings recently but it is a significant step up.
A series of unexpected defeats at the start of last season cost them dearly, but they finished the season in style, totally outplaying Tadcaster Albion in the final of the League Cup; a fine young side who have a great sense of togetherness, they work hard for each other as a unit and have an abundance of candidates capable of scoring goals.
Teams to run these two close are; despite Pete Smurthwaite's reluctance to take the club back up to Step 4.... Bridlington Town are always in and around and I can`t see this season being any different. After a speight of postponements last winter Liversedge made a profound surge up the table, so it will be interesting to see if they can carry that form into the new season. Afc Mansfield might be a surprise contender, speaking to Rudy Funk a couple of weeks ago, he was oozing confidence and full of expectation, having secured some decent signings recently but it is a significant step up.
Ncel Division 1
Probably the best source of entertainment for me last season, nine decent sides thrashing it out, two for automatic promotion and four battling it out in the newly introduced play-offs made for some fine tussles last season.
After a mare of a season last year, I just can`t see Brigg Town languishing at this level for long given the clubs history so I`m putting them up for automatic promotion spot along with Afc Emley, with Hallam, Penistone and Knareborough in the chasing pack battling for promotion through the play-offs.
Newly promoted, Bradford based side Campion are an unknown entity to me but they do come with a recommendation from those in the know. No doubt, Pontefract Collieries will be looking to bounce back after the disappointment of being relegated, but it`s not always as easy as it seems with some inevitable player movement. Also joining the pack are Ollerton Town, who have worked their socks off, both on and of the field to achieve Step 6 status and seem to have assembled a decent squad with an array of young local lads with a few who have played at an higher level, so it will be interesting to see how they fare at the next level.
Being usually a bit scepticle of of PSF results, I must admit there have been a series of results, which for me might give reason for concern for a few clubs, but I could be wrong....we`ll see!!
Good Luck to all, and hopefully there will be another great season is in store for all involved.
Newly promoted, Bradford based side Campion are an unknown entity to me but they do come with a recommendation from those in the know. No doubt, Pontefract Collieries will be looking to bounce back after the disappointment of being relegated, but it`s not always as easy as it seems with some inevitable player movement. Also joining the pack are Ollerton Town, who have worked their socks off, both on and of the field to achieve Step 6 status and seem to have assembled a decent squad with an array of young local lads with a few who have played at an higher level, so it will be interesting to see how they fare at the next level.
Being usually a bit scepticle of of PSF results, I must admit there have been a series of results, which for me might give reason for concern for a few clubs, but I could be wrong....we`ll see!!
Good Luck to all, and hopefully there will be another great season is in store for all involved.
