Emley AFC are starting a fresh for 2019/20! Big changes throughout the latter part of last season and through the summer have seen a whole raft of exciting changes for the club.
First off, the club announced they were dropping AFC Emley and reverting to Emley AFC, then, a new management team were introduced, Richard Tracey and Mark Wilson named as managers with Steve Nicholson as assistant, a surprise move perhaps but potentially a good one, as all 3 have experience of playing and managing at higher levels, Wilson and Nicholson, of course were part of the original Emley's most successful period in the mid-late 90's, culminating in that memorable 3rd round game at West Ham,
The third big change was the news that after 14 years playing in the Northern Counties East League(NCEL), Emley will now play in the North West Counties Football League( NWCFL), although still at level 10 on the pyramid, it's generally seen as a slightly higher level.
Emley will compete in the First Division North.
So what does it mean for Emley and their supporters?
Well, despite initial concerns, most seem to have embraced this new Kingdom in which to explore, Instead of trips to the North Midlands and East coast, the Pewits will now be flying around the West coast and the Lancashire heartlands, with a couple of gruelling trips into Lakeland territory with trips to Holker Old boys and Cleator Moor Celtic in Cumbria.
There are also trips to Liverpool and Blackpool for those looking for a couple of days away, as well as 4 "Huddersfield Derbies" to look forward to, with Golcar United and neighbours Shelley also in the division, like Emley, this will be Golcar's first season in the NWCFL, indeed,their first ever season at this level,while for Shelley it will be their second. Golcar, with a few ex Emley players in their ranks will be a game to look forward to, as will Shelley, who played in this league last year and acquitted themselves well, eventually settling for a mid table finish, there are also "local" trips to Keighley to face Steeton and Oldham to play Chadderton, not to mention the Lancashire clubs which make up the majority of clubs in the division.
Who is wearing the Claret and Blue this season?
As well as stalwarts from the last season or 2, (or a few more in Josh Ingham's case) George Clarke, Wayne Hughes, James Stafford, Jamie Hart,Emley seem to have recruited well, a lot of the new faces are old faces to the management team, mainly from their time at Ossetts Town and Albion, Forwards Jimmy Eyles, Rob Bordman. defenders Dominic Riordan and Ross Hardaker are all former Ossett Albion players, while in Midfield, Conor Glavin, ex Penistone and Glasshoughton, and son of ex Emley manager Ronnie, along with former Doncaster Rovers and Garforth Town man Jamie Price,with over 150 Football League and Conference appearances behind him will add lots of experience, steel, work and no lack of skill, Declan Dawson is a full back who was previously with Athersley Rec, and cleaned up at their awards last season, Danny Farrar, ex Liversedge is also a handy forward to have around, Andy McManus is also another vastly experience defender, having played most recently with Athersley Rec, Ben Mills who was on loan from Huddersfield Town last season has also returned to add even more guile up front.
Along with some youngsters and some good local talent, this looks a pretty decent squad, certainly one that the management team will be hoping can at least bring FA Cup football back to Emley.
Most teams in this league will be an unknown quantity to Emley, but on the other hand, not many teams across the North West will know much about Emley or their players, it all adds up to a very interesting season.
So come along and give your support and give the new dawn a go and let's hope for the best for the Pewits!