Striker David Brown tips Scarborough Athletic for Evo Stik Division One South glory

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Striker David Brown believes Scarborough Athletic have a great chance of promotion this season.

The Evo Stik Division One South campaign begins on Saturday when the Seadogs visit Kidsgrove Athletic.

Brown has been impressed with the team that Scarborough manager Rudy Funk has put together and is convinced Athletic can challenge.

“We’re building on from last season when we got promotion and obviously there is a lot more interest in the club,” he said.

“A lot more players, now they are in the Evo Stik, want to come on board. We have brought in a few players and kept the core of last season. And they have knitted and gelled quite well.
“It is disappointing they have been put in the South league, but I don’t think that will stop the supporters going. Last year we went to Brighouse and took 800.
“It has all the potential to be a really good season. In the last few games, we beat FC United and then beat Whitby at the weekend – they are both Evo Stik Premier sides.
“We have not looked out of place so I don’t why not (Scarborough can’t challenge).
“It is a massive squad that he (Rudy Funk) has put together with a lot of quality so it is now all about Saturday.”

Whether Brown remains at Queensgate this season is a different matter as his future as a Scarborough player is ‘up in the air’.
Brown has been dual-registered with Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side Albion Sports in order to get some playing time under his belt and the striker also admits that the travelling poses a problem.
“It is just a case of being in the South League means a lot of travelling,” he said
“Scarborough have brought in a lot of players and the squad is really strong and I want to play every week, but if I’m not involved the NCEL is a good standard to be at.
“I really don’t know the whole situation to be honest. Yesterday was the first day I had been down (to Albion). I need to speak to the manager at Scarborough and see what his plans are.”
If he does leave Scarborough, Brown will look back on his spell with them with fond memories.

The forward was a main-stay of the side that clinched the NCEL Premier Division title in April after the Seadogs beat Retford United 2-0.

“I think I joined in December and we lost one game in the second half of the season so there is a lot of positives,” he said.

“With no disrespect to the NCEL, I think the team we had with the fans and the budget, no team was going to compete with Scarborough. I think it was a big fish in a small pond.
“It was my first promotion. I nearly got promoted with Garforth when we got into the play-offs. Last season was very enjoyable.
“I’m glad we won it at home. I think Brighouse were leading at half-time and they let a two goal lead slip and we ended up winning it at home.
“To win it at home in front of the fans was better than winning it away.”