Emley AFC will begin the New Year with a home local derby on New Year’s Day, as the Pewits welcome Ossett United to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground in what promises to be a fiercely contested festive fixture.

Manager Richard Tracey is under no illusions about the task facing his side, stressing that derby matches often carry their own unique demands regardless of league position or recent form.

“Local derbies are like cup finals,” Tracey said. “There’s pride involved, bragging rights, mates playing against mates, and managers wanting one over on each other. You’re never given anything in games like that and you have to earn everything.”

Tracey was quick to dismiss any suggestion that Ossett’s position in the table makes the game any less challenging.

“I’m never surprised by Ossett,” he explained. “Wally took over when they were rock bottom and in half a season made them comfortable. He’s got hard working players with experience at this level, and they know exactly what they’re about.”

The Emley boss expects Ossett to arrive motivated and fully committed to the occasion: “He’d be over the moon to get a result here,” Tracey added. “We’ve got to make sure we make it incredibly difficult for them and that we go about our business properly. We want to keep pushing to stay at the top end of the table and apply as much pressure as we can to the teams around us.”

The Ossett fixture marks Emley’s second home game over the festive period, something Tracey believes is vital in maintaining momentum and strengthening the bond between the team and its supporters.

“Having two home games over the Christmas and New Year period is a real positive for us,” he said. “These are the games where people are off work, families can come down, and you can really build an atmosphere.”

“In a perfect world, we’d love to see the crowd numbers climbing again. Playing in front of six or seven hundred supporters makes a massive difference to the lads and really helps drive standards on the pitch.”

Tracey believes New Year’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to create a memorable occasion at the Welfare Ground: “These are the fixtures where the crowd can genuinely play a part,” he said. “If we can get everyone behind the team and make it a proper derby atmosphere, it gives the players that extra edge.”

Looking beyond the fixture itself, Tracey also took time to reflect on the club’s progress and to deliver a heartfelt New Year message to everyone connected with Emley AFC: “I think everyone connected with the club should be incredibly proud of what’s been achieved over the last year,” he said. “We moved into a new division, reached the play-offs, and as we head into the New Year we’re sitting right at the top end of the table.”

“This club is evolving and moving forward gradually. There are always challenges along the way, and things can change quickly in football, but the direction of travel is really positive.”

Tracey was keen to acknowledge the work being done behind the scenes to support the first team: “I can’t thank Marcus and the board enough for the support they give us in trying to move the club forward in the right way,” he added. “Their backing allows us to plan, to be ambitious, and to keep improving.”

He also paid tribute to the efforts of the players and coaching staff: “The players and my staff deserve huge credit for the work they put in every single week. They work relentlessly to make sure we’re as well prepared as possible, often taking a lot of the load off me so I can focus on other areas behind the scenes.”

Finally, Tracey emphasised the central role supporters play in the club’s identity and future: “Ultimately, everything we do is for Emley, the community and the fans,” he said. “Without them there is no football club.”

“We want to keep putting on performances they can be proud of, get that thriving atmosphere back at the Welfare Ground, and give everyone something to enjoy as we move into the New Year together.”