Farsley AFC return for pre-season with a point to prove

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Farsley AFC return for pre-season training tomorrow evening, with a point to prove in the Evo Stik Division One North.

Anthony Lloyd, Matty Young, Paddy Miller, Lee Ellington and new captain Robbie O’Brien are confirmed as new signings for the upcoming season.

Five more players are staying – Steve Mallory, Ryan Harrison (pictured above), Ben Higginson, Tom Morgan and James Riley. There are question marks over several other players as only Chris Walton and Brice Tiani have publicly left.

Last season was a disaster and this year sees a couple of clubs join the Division with big resources. Darlington 1883 are the early favourites, while Northwich Victoria, now playing at Flixton, will be a threat. Then you have the likes of Mossley, Ramsbottom United and New Mills who will be up near the top.

It is going tough again this year. But Farsley have made a good start in the signings market. A centre-half and a midfielder are still on manager Neil Parsley’s shopping list. However, Lloyd is a fantastic signing as the right-back position has not sorted since Aaron Hardy departed for Guiseley in November.

Lloyd provides quality, just as Young does. The hard-working midfielder was one of Parsley’s top targets when the season finished. He impressed in the Conference North in 2009-10 and he will do again in 2013-14.

Then another of the 2009-10 team has returned. In Ellington Farsley have a proven goalscorer.

The first signs are good, but no-one at Throstle Nest is getting carried away, especially considering last season’s disaster. However, there are lot of people who want to make a point.

First though is ensuring everyone is fit for the visit of the Leeds United first team on July 6th.