Champions Emley AFC will allow themselves time to celebrate promotion but the planning has already started for next season.

The Pewits will be presented with the Northern Counties East League Premier Division trophy after today’s (Saturday) local ‘derby’ against Golcar United at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

Emley sealed the title at Goole last week with three matches to spare and while this season is far from over yet – there’s still a league cup quarter-final too – the club has wasted no time in planning ahead.

The volunteer-run club is looking for more passionate, committed and skilled volunteers to help them compete in the Northern Premier League, Step 4 in the football pyramid.

Club chairman Andrew Painten paid tribute to everyone involved in the title success and growth of the club and said: “This achievement has been five years in the making and was the plan from when Richard Tracey was appointed manager and Steve Nicholson returned as assistant.

“To have hit that target despite the Covid-19 pandemic, despite being moved to the North West league for a season and despite all the other challenges football and life throw at us, it is a huge achievement. I’m immensely proud of everyone involved.

“The management and players all deserve their moment and I congratulate them for the promotion. The support of our sponsors is vital and, of course, the backing of our fans, home and away, is important too.

“I would also like to pay tribute to all our volunteers off the field without whom we wouldn’t even be kicking a ball, never-mind winning the title.

“They are the lifeblood of the club and the foundations on which all the success is built. In particular, this promotion wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and input of our vice-chairman Marcus Pound.

“Marcus came into the club at the same time as Richard and his involvement has been transformational and absolutely crucial to our success.

“We need more people like him to keep us at the next level and help us push on further so I hope this promotion truly puts the club back on the map and encourages new people with talent, ideas and energy to join our winning team.”

With promotion to the Northern Premier Division One East – alongside local rivals Liversedge, Brighouse Town and Ossett United – Emley know they need to improve again, both on and off the field.

Mr Painten added: “Now the hard work really starts! While it’s taken an enormous amount of work and commitment to get us to this point, it’s going to take more to stay there and even more to continue our upward trajectory.

“With promotion to Step 4, we are now looking to recruit the next generation of volunteers and board members to support the club with the challenges ahead.

“We’ve developed a strong business culture at Emley and one where the right people are trusted to take ownership of areas of the club.

“It could be a specific project or a whole ‘department’ of responsibility. This isn’t just about strategy – we need people with self-motivation and drive who have ideas but can roll up their sleeves, get stuck in, put those ideas into action and deliver results.

“We’d love to hear from high calibre people that fit the bill.”

Here are some of the roles Emley is looking to fill:

  • Match day operations/safety and security;
  • Partnerships manager – the club’s partnership scheme with local clubs continues to grow and a manager is needed;
  • 500 Club lottery manager – the lottery is a key funding source for the club and they want to grow it;
  • Bid writer – plans for stadium improvements will require grant funding and the club is looking to recruit someone with experience and confidence in this area;
  • Commercial team – a team of people is needed to help maximise income from sponsors and commercial partners;
  • Match day volunteers – volunteers are needed for all kinds of roles including car park attendants, staffing the gate, selling raffle tickets, serving food and drink and stocking sales outlets.

There’s also a few perks for volunteers:

  • Free entry to all home games – even when not on duty;
  • Free club t-shirt;
  • 20% discount on club merchandise and clothing;
  • Free match day meal and hot drinks from the Dugout Diner at every 1st team home game;
  • Free drink from the bar at every 1st team home game;
  • Priority access to all-ticket away games (subject to co-operation of the opposition club);
  • Priority access to official coach travel when available – and the volunteer’s seat is free.

To find out more go to the Emley website HERE or for an informal no-obligation chat, email office@emleyafc.co.uk with your details including a phone number and area of interest.

Image by: MARK PARSONS

Meet Emley AFC’s merry band of volunteers who put their heart and soul into the local community