Report

A HAT TRICK from new signing Stephen Kenworthy helped AFC Emley return to winning ways in the Northern Counties East League Division I.

The 23-year-old striker, who moved from Wakefield FC on Wednesday, made an impressive debut, contributing towards a 4-0 victory against Staveley Miners Welfare at the Welfare Ground.

Defenders Andrew Battye and Marc Townsend also made the starting 11 for Emley who both joined Kenworthy in a move away from Wakefield last week.

Disappointed with the defeat at Leeds Met Carnegie 10 days ago, joint manager Ray Dennis said it was crucial to get back to winning ways.

He added: “We’re an ambitious club who want to do well.

“I’m delighted that the players showed the right attitude after last week.

“We’re pleased with the signings, but not only that, the rest of the lads have done well too.

“If we’d have just got a point out of this game we would still be near the bottom as opposed to the top of the league so it was important to avoid that.”

In their win against Staveley, Lee Hill scored Emley’s first goal after five minutes.A long pass into the box from the right-wing found Hill who managed to out-run the oncoming goalkeeper, Rob Poulter, and tuck the ball into the net.

Kenworthy grabbed the first of his three goals 30 minutes into the game. With his back initially away from the goal and positioned on the edge of the area, the striker quickly switched his stance and volleyed the ball beyond Poulter.

On 72 minutes he scored his second and Emley’s third when his cross from the wing drifted into the top left corner of the net.
The home side were then awarded a penalty three minutes later which Kenworthy converted to seal his hat trick and the three points.

After the game, Kenworthy said he could not have wished for a better way to start his playing career at Emley. He said: “I came here to have a few games because I wasn’t playing much at Wakefield.

“I couldn’t have wished for a better game. “The lads here (at Emley) are great and the football standard is very good.”

AFC Emley: Green, Mann, Hazelden (Nathan), Battye, Townsend, Joblon, Leech, Laud, Kenworthy, Hill, Hazelden (Sean). Subs: Birmingham, Donnelly, Manousious.

Attendance: 133.

AFC EMLEY booked an FA Vase first round proper place after a 4-3 victory against Ramsbottom United. 

Emley’s victory has set up a first round match away at Bootle on October 6.

Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side fought back from a two-goal deficit to win through.On 17 minutes Johnson scored after a breakaway move from the visitors and McManus doubled their lead on 22. But Nick Jagger scored just before the break, which was the start of a spirited Emley fightback.

Gavin Birmingham struck twice on 47 and 55 minutes to fire Emley into a 3-2 lead and Kyle Hawthorn, who had an outstanding game, added Emley’s fourth on 62. But Ramsbottom hit back after a 68th minute breakaway but could not find an equaliser as Emley maintained the pressure.

RAINWORTH gained their second successive three-goal home league win after turning on the power in the first half.

Mark Shaw’s hat-trick, including one goal from the spot, led the Wrens to a 4-1 interval lead over Emley, but with the game won, the second half performance lacked the verve of the first period, until late goals by either side wrapped up the scoring.

Emley were the first onto the attack but had created little, and it was Rainworth who struck first in the fifth minute with the first of Shaw’s trio.

Emley skipper Richard Hirst brought down Craig Wilson’s initial effort but the ball dropped to Shaw who picked his spot under Richard Ayres’ right hand angle from some 20 yards.

That was the Wrens’ first attack of the match, but they might have added a second within a minute, when Danny Bainbridge was a hairsbreadth away from meeting Wilson’s right wing corner.

And home fans anticipated again but Adam Lillie allowed another cross from Wilson to run under his boot when well placed.

Emley pulled level in the 11^th minute when Craig Wilkinson prodded Anthony Leech’s threaded pass beyond the advancing Mark Hales.

The contest became fairly even for a spell with another astute cross from Wilson being taken off the feet of Lillie by the diving Ayres, while for Emley Wilkinson glanced a header just wide.from the impressive Matt Neesam’s angled centre.

But it was Rainworth who forged ahead again, when Danny Naylor fed Wilson in the right of the box. He laid off for Shaw to beat the stretching Ayres with a delightful curling shot.

Matt Draper denied Emley an equaliser two minutes later when he stretched a leg to intercept a useful effort by Allan Laud.

However, Rainworth went 3-1 up in the 36^th minute. Emley failed to clear their lines in a goalmouth scramble and the ball fell to Lillie whose 20-yard finish took a slight deflection and entered the net.

The game was all over bar the shouting on 42, but Emley must have felt aggrieved. For Wilson undoubtedly handled as he controlled the ball on the right before blazing a path between two defenders.

The offence went unseen and Wilson was brought down in the area by the over-stretching leg of Hirst, who could take no further part in the game. To rub salt into the visitors' wounds, he went off with a yellow card, before Shaw completed his hat-trick from the spot.

It could even have been 5-1 before the break, but for Paul Robinson making a good intercepting header to prevent Bainbridge’s accurate center from picking out the unmarked Lillie.

After the interval the game went off the boil somewhat. However, Nick Jagger did just enough to delay Lillie’s shot six minutes in, allowing Ayres to come out to the edge of his area and beat the ball away.

The visitors were unlucky, though, two minutes later, when Hales turned a good angled effort from Wilkinson onto his bar and behind for a corner.

Another superb challenge by Draper on the hour kept Leech at bay as Emley began to push the home side back. But Shaw was close to his fourth goal five minutes on, his glancing header onto a cross from Glenn Nattriss beating Ayres but dropping just the wrong side of the far upright.

Ayres saved Albery’s 20-yard free kick competently eight minutes from time, but Emley got a second goal with a minute of the 90 to play, when Leech got through to the left of the area and drove home an angled shot.

However, the three-goal cushion was restored in the second minute of overtime. Substitute Steve Shannon, who moments earlier had lobbed the advancing Ayres only to see it go wide, managed to lift the ball over the keeper again, but this time he met it as it dropped, to slot home and complete the scoring.

Result: Rainworth 5 - 2 AFC Emley

RAINWORTH: Hales, Nattriss, Fletcher (L. Wood 76), Alberry, Smith (Wright ht), Draper, Bainbridge, Naylor, Lillie (Shannon 63), Wilson, Shaw.

EMLEY: Ayres, Neesam, Handley, Jagger, Robinson, Hirst (Clarke 42), Clapham (J. Wood ht), Leech, Laud (Mann 68), Wilkinson, Hawthorn.

REFEREE: Peter King of Potterhanworth, Lincoln.

ATTENDANCE: 77

GOALS: Rainworth – Shaw 5, 28, 42 pen; Lillie 36; Shannon 90+2. Emley – Wilkinson 11; Leech 89.

CAUTIONS: Rainworth – Wood 90+3 (foul). Emley – Hirst 42 (‘professional’ foul).

Hallam v AFC EMLEY FA Cup Preliminary Round 
(Played at Welfare Ground Emley)

AFC Emley fought back from being behind twice in this game, and despite playing 42 minutes of the second half with only 10 men, Emley looked the better side during the second period.

Hallam took the lead just before halftime with a break down the right, Carrington weaved into the edge of the box and beat Emley keeper, Ayres, down to his left hand corner of the net. ‘Keeper’ Ayres had a moment in the second half when he spilled an innocuous cross onto his line, luckily the danger was cleared before Hallam realised what had happened.

Hallam sat back as soon as Leech got his marching orders. The Emley crowd thought it wasn't going to be their day when the ball struck the angle of crossbar and post after yet another good centre.

Finally Emley drew level with Russ Green getting the equaliser on 83 minutes after a dangerous cross into the 6 yard box.  However the lead lasted only a matter of minutes when Hallam got a clear cut penalty. Carrington sent the Emley keeper the wrong way from the spot.

With a large number of the 226 crowd moving away from the ground Emley drew level for the second time to force the game into a replay next Wednesday 5^th Sept. KO 7.45pm. From a corner in the 89 minute Sean Hazelden got the Emley second, rising above the defenders to glance the ball into the top corner.  

Result: AFC Emley 2 - 2 Hallam

AFC’s home replay after late drama
Sep 3 2007 Huddersfield Examiner

SEAN HAZELDEN scored a last-gasp equaliser to earn 10-man AFC Emley a replay against Hallam in the FA Cup preliminary round. He struck with barely a minute left to force a 2-2 draw in a tie switched to the Welfare Ground, just when it seemed the visitors would go through.

A large number of the 226 crowd started heading for the gates when Richard Carrington gave Hallam the lead for the second time from the spot with just seven minutes left – but there was a sting in the tail and the replay will now take place on Wednesday (7.45), again at the Welfare Ground.

It was a creditable effort for AFC to take a share of the spoils after twice being behind and after playing 42 minutes of the second half with only 10 men following the dismissal of midfielder Anthony Leech.

Hallam took the lead just before half time after a break down the right, Carrington weaving to the edge of the box and beating Emley keeper Richard Ayres low to his left corner.Hallam sat back as soon as Leech got his marching orders and a long-range Emley shot hit the angle of bar and post.

With time running out, Emley drew level through Russ Green on 83 minutes after a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, but it was only the start of the drama.

There was no disputing the penalty from which Carrington sent Ayres the wrong way from the spot, while Hazelden did superbly to rise above defenders and glance home his last-ditch saver.


Hallam v AFC Emley FA Cup Prelim Rd 
(fixture switched to Welfare Ground)

Emley went behind twice in this game, and despite playing 47 minutes of the second half with only 10 men, Emley looked the better side during the second period.

Hallam took the lead just before halftime with a break down the right, the player (sorry missed his name) weaved into the edge of the box and beat the Emley keeper down to his left hand in to the corner of the net. Ayres had a moment in the second half when he spilled an innocuous cross onto his line, luckily the danger was cleared before Hallam realised what had happened.

Hallam sat back as soon as the Emley player got his marching orders. I thought it wasn't going to be our day when the ball struck the angle of crossbar and post after yet another good centre. Russ Green got the equaliser on 83 minutes after a dangerous cross into the 6 yard box - I thought it was possibly an own goal. The lead lasted only a matter of minutes when Hallam got a clear cut penalty. Having sent the Emley keeper the wrong way, I thought the Hallam team were going to run into the Cricket pavilion with their celebration.

From an Emley Corner on 88 minutes Sean Hazelden got the Emley second, rising above the defenders to glance the ball into the top corner. To be fair for all the good possession we didn't give the Hallam keeper a great deal to do.

I made the mistake of praising the ref just before half time, all in all he didn't have that bad a game. A few contentious decisions and off the ball stuff from Hallam players went unpunished. I thought there was a foul on the Emley player which wasn't given just before he lashed out with his elbow and got sent off. Again no excuse for that.

Another decent crowd 226. As this was technically our away game I would hope that the replay on Wednesday will see a better 90 minute performance from Emley. We looked so much better when we played the ball on the floor. I thought the Hallam defence was fairly average, their right back had a poor game and we didn't punish his mistakes enough. I thought Danny might have had greater sucess by swapping wings. The Hazelden brothers were immense tonight, Hallam were really quick out of defence. Their 10 Cam - who limped off looked good, read the game well.

Result: Hallam 2 - 2 AFC Emley

See you Wednesday.

Martin (report from the Forum)

Dinnington Town v AFC Emley

Report from Dinnington website

After two cup games Dinnington got back to League affairs with this game against AFC Emley. Like Dinnington this is Emley’s second season in the NCEL and will be hoping to better last years 13th placing. Emley have started well this year in the League with a good 2-0 away win at Borrowash Victoria with Jones and Leech scoring. They then had an easy 3-0 home win with Darwen in the FA Cup with Chapman 2 and Walton scoring, so the game today with two sides pushing for a top three position this term. Last years games were even steven with a 2-0 Emley win away and a 3-0 Dinnington win at home.

Today's game was end to end stuff with Emley shading the first quarter but it was Town who took the lead on 32 minutes when a good run and cross from Martin Wade found Ant Lynam who's fierce shot gave the Emley keeper Lee Wilson no chance. From the goal Town took charge up to half time. HT 1-0

Emley responded well to the halftime team talk when on 62 minutes they equalised from a corner, they pressured Town's goal and had four attempted shots but finally went in off the knee of fullback Martin Sculley. They took the lead on 81 minutes when Substitute Russell Green ran away to score past Phil Rhodes. It was then Town's turn to put the pressure on when Liam Cartledge was put through but was bundled off the ball. They got the deserved equaliser on 89 minutes when a good run by Ant Lynam down the left he cut into the area and sent in a unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner of the net. 

Result: Dinnington Town 2 - 2 AFC Emley

AFC Emley v Darwen
FA CUP (Sponsored by e-on) Extra Preliminary Round
Friday 17^th August

AFC Emley playing in their very first FA Cup tie since being reformed 3 years ago delighted a large Friday night crowd with this victory against a hard working Darwen side. However, the match was soured by two late dismissals. Jones for Emley and Parkes for Darwen

Emley began the brighter and should have taken an early lead but first the post and then a wayward shot kept the sides even. Darwen suffered and early blow when after only 18 minutes Telfer sustained and injury and was replaced by Anderton.

Both Emley full backs were making indents into the Darwen defence and were sending telling crosses but Wilkinson and Clapham were unable to put the finishing touches. This seamed to give the visitors heart and they began to make inroads into the Emley defence but the Hazelden brothers stood firm 

Finally in the 36^th minute Emley broke the deadlock. Neesam broke down the right and sent in a cross which was only half cleared. The ball fell at the feet of Clapham whose first time shot gave Dawson little chance in the visitor’s goal.

Emley went further ahead a minute before half time when Walton finished of another smooth move.

The second period began in the same fashion as the first with all the pressure coming from the home side. Once again Darwen’s rhythm was broken when Stanford was carried off with a knee injury.

Emley’s final goal was scored in added time by man of the match Clapham
Two players sent off during the 7 minutes of added time:

Result: AFC Emley 3 – 0 Darwen

Man of the Match: Clapham (AFC Emley)
Entertainment Value 4**** 
Att 266

AFC Emley: Ayres, Neesham, Clarke, Hazelden N, Hazelden S, Robinson, Jagger, Walker, Clapham, Wilkinson, Walton. Subs: Joice, Jones, Hawthorn, Hirst, Pinnock .

Scarf giveaway for AFC’s young FA Cup fans
Huddersfield Examiner Aug 17 2007 by Mel Booth

THERE’S an FA Cup giveaway for young fans when AFC Emley entertain Darwen at the Welfare Ground tonight (7.45). 

The first 200 young supporters through the turnstiles will receive a free club scarf to mark AFC’s historic first appearance in the competition.

Coaches Nicky Bramald and Ray Dennis are hoping a couple of injury scares clear up for the extra preliminary round clash with the Lancashire side, with the prize a preliminary round tie against Hallam or Nelson.

And AFC are hoping for a bumper crowd as they bid to become one of the first winners on this season’s Road to Wembley.

“We are aiming to make it a family football night and that’s why we are giving away the scarves to young supporters who come to the game,” said assistant secretary Richard Hazelden.

“There seems to have been quite a lot of interest in the tie in the village and, with it being a good start to the weekend, we are hoping other fans whose matches aren’t until tomorrow will come along, give us their support and help to cheer us into the next round.”

While AFC warmed up with a 2-0 win at Borrowash Victoria in the Northern Counties East League, North West Counties side Darwen lost their first match 5-0 to Kirkham & Wesham but recovered to chalk a midweek 5-1 win over Ashton Town.

“It would be great if we could be the first team to win in the FA Cup this season and I know Nicky and Ray are fielding a strong team and we’re hoping to progress,” added Hazelden.

Admission is £4 for adults and £2 concessions and the club have ordered plenty of pies!

Meanwhile, AFC are intending to run a Reserve team this season and any players who would like to get involved and have a trial can ring Bramald on 07879-680498.

Knockout action beckons for AFC Emley
Huddersfield Examiner Aug 11 2007 by Dougie Thomson

AFC hope for bonus Cup crowd 
Huddersfield Examiner Aug 15 2007 by Linzi Nicholson

Borrowash Victoria 0 - 2 Emley 

AFC EMLEY warmed up for their first ever foray in the FA Cup this Friday with a valuable 2-0 away win at Borrowash Victoria in their opening Northern Counties East League match of the new campaign.

Emley, who provided the opposition for the first of Town’s pre-season friendlies on July 18, take on Lancastrians Darwen at the Welfare Ground on Friday (7.45) in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup.

Officials hope for a bumper crowd to support the club, who were formed only two years ago (admission £4, £2 for concessions), especially from interested Town fans before they head down to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Two second-half goals from two of nine new signings making their League debuts, gave Emley their Division I win.

Antony Leech, on 54 minutes, and Kyle Jones, on 62, gave AFC the only away win of all the NCE Division I sides.

On a difficult, hard and scorched pitch, good football was difficult for both sides with Borrowash failing to make any telling ground while AFC were dangerous on the break.

Emley striker Allan Laud, who was carrying an injury coming into the game, was replaced at half time by Jones and the AFC players began to take command.

On 54 minutes Danny Clapham broke down the right and sent a superb cross for Leech to bring down and coolly beat the home keeper.

And on 62 they went further ahead when Jones picked the ball up just inside the home half and went on a mazy run, cutting inside to beat his last opponent, and shot beyond the advancing home keeper.

Borrowash Victoria 0 - 2 Emley 

Emley started the season with a win after a fine performance at Borrowash. Despite the shock of losing Jamie Green to Alfreton on the eve of the match, Richard Ayres stood fast behind a strong defence to stifle any creativity Borrowash could muster in an even first half.

For Emley Danny Clapham came closest and he continued with a fine performance in the second half. His cross led to the opening goal, scored by Anthony Leech who controlled the ball and took it round the keeper before finishing.

Kyle Jones then put the game beyond Borrowash with a fine individual effort, picking the ball up in midfield he dribbled past 2 men before slotting home past the hapless 'keeper.
Attendance: 72

AFCE: Ayres, Walker, Clarke, Hazelden N, Hazelden S, Robinson, Clapham, Leech 1, Laud, Wilkinson, Walton
Subs: Hawthorn, Jones 1, Pinnock

Ritchie happy to provide AFC Emley with windfall
Jul 20 2007 Huddersfield Examiner by Dougie Thomson

ANDY RITCHIE will be keeping a close eye on AFC Emley’s results this season.

The Town manager enjoyed his trip to the Welfare Ground on Wednesday, when a bumper 1,985 watched his side chalk up a 3-0 win in the Adrian Wright Memorial Match.

Danny Cadamarteri (penalty), Luke Beckett and Matt Young scored in Town’s first public pre-season friendly.

But the Galpharm side were held goalless in the first 45 minutes, and Ritchie was impressed with the standard of the Northern Counties East League First Division team, who were also playing their first public game.

“It’s a tidy set-up, and hopefully, we’ve helped provide them with a nice financial boost,” said Ritchie, who takes his side to another non-league club, Bridlington Town, tomorrow.

“I was delighted with the turn-out from our fans. It showed they’re interested in what we’re doing and should also have helped provide a few bob for AFC Emley, which was part of the exercise.

“I wish Nicky Bramald and Ray Dennis (the joint AFC Emley managers) all the best this season, and I’ll certainly be keeping a check on their fortunes.”

AFC kick-off their second NCE campaign with a trip to Borrowash Victoria on Saturday, August 11, the same day Town open their League I campaign at home to Yeovil.

The former West Yorkshire League side, formed in 2005, have also entered the FA Cup for the first time (they host Darwen in the extra preliminary round on Saturday, August 18).

The team will be preparing with six further friendlies

There are trips to Thorne Colliery on Wednesday, Eccleshill United on Monday week, July 30, Glossop on Wednesday week, August 1, Marsden the night after and Bay Athletic on Saturday, August 4. AFC then host Ossett Town on Tuesday, August 7.

Wednesday’s match, incidentally, provided a quick reunion between Ritchie and AFC official Richard Poulain.Former Football League referee Poulain’s day job is as a coach driver, and he took Town to their private practice match against Stoke on Tuesday!

AFC Emley 0 Town 3 
Jul 19 2007 Huddersfield Examiner
 by Dougie Thomson

TOWN fans will be hoping they witnessed a sign of things to come after seeing AFC Emley beaten 3-0 in last night’s (July 18th) opening pre-season friendly at the Welfare Ground.

New signing Danny Cadamarteri netted the first goal of the Adrian Wright Memorial Match from the penalty spot and made the second for last season’s top scorer Luke Beckett (Matt Young got the third).

Andy Ritchie’s other close-season recruit Malvin Kamara showed encouraging flashes of pace and trickery on the right flank.

And there were bright displays from some of the young guns, notably Mitchell Bailey, who came on at half-time and was a positive force in midfield.

Wideman Danny Racchi, the only player to complete the whole of a private practice match against Stoke on Tuesday, was the only member of Ritchie’s 23-strong senior squad not to make an appearance against the hard-working Northern Counties East League side.

And members of an impressive 1,985 crowd also saw trialists Lee Snodin, son of Glynn, and Jack Kamara, son of Chris, in the new Town kit.

Ritchie’s charges looked a little rusty in the first half, when Danny Schofield curled a free-kick just over and poked a shot wide from a Malvin Kamara cross before Jon Worthington headed too high from close range.

But they picked up the pace after the break, going in front just two minutes into the second half when Chris Brandon was brought down in the box by Paul Robinson and Cadamarteri put away the spot kick right footed past keeper Jamie Green.

Town’s Matt Glennon made smart reflex saves to deny Sean Hazelden and Craig Wilkinson soon after.

But Town were soon back on the attack, and Michael Collins shot just over from distance before Beckett’s cool 56th-minute finish from Cadamarteri’s pass.

Lucas Akins’ 69th-minute shot on the turn was well saved, but the keeper could do nothing when Young controlled neatly on the edge of the area and drilled home an 83rd-minute effort.

First half: Eastwood, Berrett, Hardy, Snodin, N Clarke, Sinclair, Schofield, Worthington, Booth (Beckett, 39mins), Cadamarteri, M Kamara

Second half: Glennon, J Kamara (T Clarke, 76), Skarz, Bailey, Mirfin, Berrett (Holdsworth, 63), Brandon, Collins, Cadamarteri (Akins, 56), Beckett (Malcher, 82), M Kamara (Young, 56).

Town signings on parade Jul 18 2007 by Dougie Thomson

TOWN fans will get their first chance to see new signings Danny Cadamarteri and Malvin Kamara tonight.

Both will be involved in the opening pre-season friendly against AFC Emley at the Welfare Ground (7.30).

Boss Andy Ritchie intends to use tonight’s Adrian Wright Memorial Match and Saturday’s game at Bridlington Town to give run-outs to every member of his 23-strong senior squad.

That means he will see Chris Brandon, the Clarke brothers, Nathan and Tom, Danny Schofield, Aaron Hardy and Matthew Young in match action for the first time.

Brandon was on loan at Blackpool and the other five out through injury when Ritchie was appointed in April

While Ritchie is keen to check out the players he inherited, supporters will want to see the new faces.

Ex-Everton starlet Cadamarteri, who later played for Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield United, has joined from Leicester.

And former MK Dons and Cardiff winger Kamara, at 23, four years younger than Cadamarteri, has moved from League I rivals Port Vale.

Ritchie has promised the pair will provide an injection of pace, the absence of which many believe was the root cause of last season’s disappointing 15th-placed finish.

Kamara has recovered from an Achilles tendon niggle suffered during training and will be able to complete the next step of his settling-in process.

“While Danny lives close by over in Cleckheaton, Malvin has already got himself sorted out with a flat in the area,” reported Ritchie.

“Ask any of the other lads and I think they’d say it’s as if Danny and Malvin have been around for two years rather than two weeks.

“They’ve been welcomed with open arms, both have taken to the club really well and, with a team spirit like we have, it’s a pleasure to take training.”

On tonight’s match, in memory of the former AFC Emley president who died aged 54 in January, Ritchie said: “It’s primarily about fitness, but we want to play some respectful football too.

“In the overall scheme of things, friendly results don’t matter, but you do want to get into the winning habit, because that breeds confidence.”

It’s quid a kid for tonight’s game, with other admission prices £6 adults, and £3 concessions.

AFC drawn at home in first FA Cup clash 
Jul 3 2007 by Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFC Emley have a home test in their first-ever FA Cup-tie.

The Welfare Ground club have been paired with Blackburn side Darwen in the preliminary round of the famous old competition.

The tie will be played at Emley on the weekend of August 18, the exact day to be decided in consultation with the cricket club, who use part of the ground.

Darwen are from the same level as AFC, playing in the North West Counties Second Division.

Emley have not featured in the FA Cup since their reformation – the original club, of course, moving to Wakefield. The North East Counties outfit are also at home in the FA Vase, drawing Ramsbottom of the NWC First Division in the first round on September 22.

Emley are starting training tonight and Thursday (from 7pm) at Shelley High School and assistant secretary Richard Hazelden explained they would be happy for potential players to join Nicky Bramald and Ray Dennis’s squad.

“If any lads from the District League or West Riding County Amateur League would like to step up a level then we would be happy for them to come along,” he said.

“Our ambitions in the next three to five years are to move up the football pyramid, but it won’t be done at any cost.

“We are trying to recreate what has been done here at the Welfare Ground in the past, we’ve got planning permission for a bar and plenty of people who are willing to put in some hours to keep things moving forward.

“We don’t want to get over-stretched like some clubs have done, but maybe a return to the UniBond in the next few years is something we can aim for.

“At the moment, stepping up from the District or West Riding to our level isn’t too much of a big jump, so hopefully a few lads will fancy giving it a go and will come along and join us.”

Bramald can be contacted on 07879 680498.

Emley, of course, kick-off pre-season against Town at the Welfare Ground on July 18 in the Adrian Wright Memorial game (7.30).

On July 30 they visit Eccleshill United and then, of August 4, they travel to Bay Athletic. They are at home to Ossett Town on August 7 (7.30).

Hazelden stressed a lot of hard work has already been put in at the club, not least by former Galpharm groundsman Raymond Chappell, who has got the pitch looking superb.