Runners and riders for Northern Counties East League glory in 2013-14

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

The start of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League season is nearly upon us.

45 teams across two divisions will battle it out for ten months for either a place in the Evo Stik League or the NCE’s top division.

Here’s a look at the runners and riders for glory in 2013-14 and predictions for some of the Yorkshire sides in the NCEL.

Premier Division

Worksop Parramore are by far the favourites for the title. Parramore, who have ambitions of reaching the Conference North, are rumoured to have a huge budget and signings like Ossett Town’s James Cotterill back that rumour up. Cotterill could still play at Evo Stik Premier Division standard so his defensive qualities will play a key role in Worksop’s ascent to glory, should everything go to plan.

Bridlington Town may have lost manager Mitch Cook, but the return of Gary Allanson has ensured that the club were relatively unaffected during pre-season. Allanson has kept with Cook’s team who finished third under Cook last season. Whilst the club are concentrating on bringing young players through into the first team, Allanson still has plenty of quality in players like his son Ashley, captain Tom Fleming, Craig Hogg, Scott Phillips, Frank Belt and goalkeeper Mark Wilberforce. Bridlington will push Worksop as best as they can to the wire.

The priority for Brighouse Town this summer was retaining striker Tom Matthews and replacing top goalkeeper Tom Taylor. Manager Paul Quinn has done both. Matthews is a wanted man by many West Yorkshire clubs and even turned down the advances of Bradford Park Avenue boss John Deacey last season. Taylor’s replacement is Guiseley stopper Jacob Giles who will fit into a side that remains largely the same as the one that pushed champions Scarborough Athletic all the way and finished second. While Worksop hope to have an easy run to the title, Brighouse will join Bridlington in a strong challenge.

Tom Woolard

Rob Hunter has had a good summer as Glasshoughton Welfare manager. He has recruited well and the club is all set to go for the new season. Hunter has now sorted out his goalkeeper problem by signing the highly-rated Paul Hagreen from Liversedge. Most of the side that ended the season has stayed put and the strike force is fairly impressive. Tom Woolard, Joel Freestone, Kieran Corley and Calum Ward are the attacking line-up and they will score goals. The only downside for Hunter is having to play the first nine league games away from home which means picking up points will be a tough ask for his side. But they will and a comfortable mid-table place is the first target.  

2013-14 is all about stability for Garforth Town. The side is still in the process of being built and that may even take an entire season. But head coach Graham Nicholas has not moaned and he has instilled a work ethic into his organised side. Garforth will be hard to break down for a number of teams and at the other end Alex Booker and Nick Black look like a great forward partnership. Whilst remaining in the Premier Division is the target, a mid-table finish may be on the cards.

Division One

The favourites for the Division One title are Shaw Lane Aquaforce by a long-stretch. Popular NCEL manager Simon Houghton has taken the reigns at newcomers Aquaforce and built a formidable side, by all accounts. 42-goal hero for AFC Emley last season, Ashley Flynn, has signed along with Danny Frost. There is even Carl Fothergill in his side so it will take a lot to stop Aquaforce this season.

Emley manager Darren Hepworth

AFC Emley have been knocking on the door for a long time and manager Darren Hepworth has been slowly building his team and club for an assault on promotion. Brighton Mugadza has replaced Ashley Flynn and Hepworth remains confident there are still goals in his team. Whether Emley will have enough in the tank to clinch second place is debatable, but they won’t be far away.

The other challengers for Division One glory are Pontefract Collieries, Knaresborough Town, Clipstone and Shirebrook Town who are good bets.