Emley AFC are making preparations ahead of the club’s second season in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division. In pre-season they have had a number of players on trial and boss Richard Tracey has revealed exclusively to Huddersfield Hub who the club has signed. 

Tracey has revealed five new signings so far and says the squad is looking in good shape heading into the new season. 

Emley have signed right-back Declan Dawson who was at the club previously in 2019. The Pewits have also agreed terms with experienced central midfielder Rikki Paylor. The 28-year-old is a player Tracey knows well from working with him at Ossett.

Jayden Sandhu also returns to Emley. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder will add plenty of creativity to the Pewits’ attack.

The club has looked for really local talent too and they couldn’t find anyone much closer than Joe Clegg – the midfielder literally lives in a house behind the goal!

Last but certainly not least is Huddersfield-based striker Iyrwah Gooden, 21, who was previously at Football League side Mansfield Town and has played at a higher non-league level for both Workington and Worksop.

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On the club’s recruitment, Tracey said: “We’ve kept the majority of players from last season and added just a few names. As a squad we were a bit short last year and so this season we have bulked it up.

“I’m really happy with who we’ve signed. Rikki I knew from Ossett. He was Handsworth captain last year and he knows this level and at 28 he’s got plenty of experience. Joe is a local lad who lives behind the goal! He’s an exciting midfielder and has been an absolute find for us really. 

“Jayden was with us as a young kid. He went away and got some minutes and has now earned the right to come back and fight for a place here on the back of a good season at Albion Sports.

“To get Iyrwah in is fantastic, he’s dropped a few levels to play for us. He’s a local lad from Huddersfield and the travelling last season to Worksop really took its toll, so he’s signed for us on his doorstep.

“I watched a few clips of him and he looks great. In reality Worksop didn’t want to lose him.”