West Yorkshire League: Shelley shaping up nicely for switch to the NCE

West Yorkshire Premier League side Shelley are putting the finishing touches on their ground before joining the Northern Counties East League next season.
Jonathon Unwin scores the fifth and final penalty for Otley Town in their West Yorkshire League, League Cup second-round win over Hunslet Club. PIC: Steve RidingJonathon Unwin scores the fifth and final penalty for Otley Town in their West Yorkshire League, League Cup second-round win over Hunslet Club. PIC: Steve Riding
Jonathon Unwin scores the fifth and final penalty for Otley Town in their West Yorkshire League, League Cup second-round win over Hunslet Club. PIC: Steve Riding

The jump will see them move to semi-professional status for the first time in their history.

Chairman Lee Henton said: “There is plenty of groundwork to be done.

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“There is some tarmacking to finish off and lots of fencing, so it’s the tiny bits that really add up.

Otley Town team-mates swarm around match-winner Jonathon Unwin after scoring the penalty that put Hunslet Club out of the League Cup. It was 1-1 after regular time with Town going through 5-4 on penalties. PIC: Steve RidingOtley Town team-mates swarm around match-winner Jonathon Unwin after scoring the penalty that put Hunslet Club out of the League Cup. It was 1-1 after regular time with Town going through 5-4 on penalties. PIC: Steve Riding
Otley Town team-mates swarm around match-winner Jonathon Unwin after scoring the penalty that put Hunslet Club out of the League Cup. It was 1-1 after regular time with Town going through 5-4 on penalties. PIC: Steve Riding

“We are putting windows in the dugouts because you couldn’t see the goals from the back of the bench and work on the changing rooms is also taking place.

“The main upgrades like the pathway down the side of the pitch started on January 20, and there is also the terrace stands to tarmac by the end of the month. That should see us just about done.”

Henton believes manager Ash Berry will be vital during the team’s debut season in the NCEL.

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“Ash (Berry) has plenty of experience at that level of football and it opens up opportunities for us,” said Henton. “In the West Yorkshire League you can’t pay contract players whereas in the NCEL you can.

Killian Mabey at full stretch for Hunslet Club at Otley Town. PIC: Steve RidingKillian Mabey at full stretch for Hunslet Club at Otley Town. PIC: Steve Riding
Killian Mabey at full stretch for Hunslet Club at Otley Town. PIC: Steve Riding

“We have lots of connections, such as our relationship with Barnsley, so if we do have the opportunity to bring in players on loan that’s great for us.”

Recruitment will be a huge focus for Henton over the summer, citing the need for a bigger squad if they are to be competitive next season.

“When we move up we have to improve our squad,” he said.

“Like most leagues there isn’t much difference between the sides at the top and bottom.

Otley Town team-mates swarm around match-winner Jonathon Unwin after scoring the penalty that put Hunslet Club out of the League Cup. It was 1-1 after regular time with Town going through 5-4 on penalties. PIC: Steve RidingOtley Town team-mates swarm around match-winner Jonathon Unwin after scoring the penalty that put Hunslet Club out of the League Cup. It was 1-1 after regular time with Town going through 5-4 on penalties. PIC: Steve Riding
Otley Town team-mates swarm around match-winner Jonathon Unwin after scoring the penalty that put Hunslet Club out of the League Cup. It was 1-1 after regular time with Town going through 5-4 on penalties. PIC: Steve Riding
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“It’s no good wanting to move forward just to finish in the bottom five every year, so from our viewpoint we will need to strengthen next season.

“A different type of player will be needed.

“There’s more games and more night fixtures which don’t always fit in with people’s working patterns so we need a bigger squad in general.

“Members of our current squad won’t necessarily need to leave, they just may not be able to play as many games.

Killian Mabey at full stretch for Hunslet Club at Otley Town. PIC: Steve RidingKillian Mabey at full stretch for Hunslet Club at Otley Town. PIC: Steve Riding
Killian Mabey at full stretch for Hunslet Club at Otley Town. PIC: Steve Riding

“Our reserves are joining the West Yorkshire Division when it becomes possible so that gives them the chance to still be playing at a very good level if they aren’t in the first-team squad.”

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Shelley would love to sign off from the West Yorkshire League with the Premier Division trophy, but their title challenge took a hit at the weekend with a 3-2 defeat at Knaresborough Town.

With leaders Beeston, who, to clarify, removed their manager Mark Greaves before last weekend’s win contrary to reports, suffering a 3-1 defeat at Carlton, thanks to an Anees Younis brace and Scott Hargreaves goal, all eyes fell on the second-v-third clash between Ilkley and Leeds City.

An underwhelming Ilkley performance, owing to several high-profile absentees, saw them fall to a 4-0 defeat, allowing Leeds City to jump them into second place, only three points behind Beeston.

Mark Ferguson netted twice for City, while Luke Norman’s strike and a Ben Dexter own goal completed the rout.

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Horbury, meanwhile, will have to wait another week to build on their thrashing of Huddersfield Amateur, after their match at Hartshead was postponed.

Sherburn White Rose picked up their second win in a row after beating Robin Hood Athletic 2-1, thanks to goals from Daniel Middleton and Daniel Withington.

That win allowed them to move off the foot of the table, with Pool taking their place as the Premier League’s basement club after their 1-0 loss to Headingley.

Whitkirk Wanderers maintained their place at the top of the table the Division One table after their 3-1 victory over Wetherby.

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Daniel Sheriffe bagged two for the visitors while Michael Elliott completed the scoring for Whitkirk.

With Rawdon Old Boys in cup action, East End Park took advantage and moved into second , by defeating Altofts 2-0. However, with Rawdon holding five games in hand over East End, they face quite the challenge to keep them behind.

Featherstone Colliery were unable to build on their promotion push, after their goalless draw at Boroughbridge.

Brighouse Old Boys remain rock bottom, as Ben Harley and Richard Jackson earned Kippax all three points at Kippax Welfare Sports and Social Club.

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Despite a red card for James Bailey, Oxenhope Recreation were able to record a 3-2 victory over Leeds Modernians, with all goals coming in a crazy first half. Danny Claxton and Joshua Stanley each netted for Leeds but Lee Reilly’s double and Thomas Marshall’s strike secured the points for Oxenhope. Rothwell versus Aberford Albion was postponed, while Wyke Wanderers strolled to a 3-0 win over Howden Clough to wrap up the Division One action.

Division Two was set to feature only one game last weekend, but following the postponement of Baildon Trinity Athletics’ clash with Huddersfield YM, not a single ball was kicked in the division.

In the second round of the League Cup, Otley Town triumphed 5-4 on penalties over visitors Hunslet Club after the sides had ended normal time on one apiece. Elsewhere, Huddersfield Amateurs saw off Rawdon OB 3-1, Knaresborough Town overran Headingley 4-1, Wyke Wanderers edged Wetherby Athletic 1-0 and Sherburn Whire Rose beat hosts Altofts 3-1.

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