As Emley AFC head into pre-season with an eagerly-awaited friendly against Huddersfield Town’s first team on Saturday (June 29), the club has announced its retained list.

The Pewits have lost five players, including last season’s top scorer Ruben Jerome, but have managed to retain the majority of boss Richard Tracey’s promotion-winning squad.

Jerome, James Knowles, Iyrwah Gooden, Joe Jagger and Paul Walker have all moved on as Emley start the countdown to the new Northern Premier League Division One East season.

On Saturday, Emley host a Town side looking to rebuild after relegation from the Championship. It will be new manager Michael Duff’s first game in charge and Town are due to bring a first team squad. A big all-ticket crowd is expected.

 

 

Key members of the Emley squad signing on for next season include one of the longest-serving, midfielder Alex Metcalfe.

Embarking on his sixth year at Emley, Metcalfe has played 158 times for the club, scoring 27 goals. The creative midfielder made 47 appearances last campaign and contributed 11 goals.

Left-back Ross Hardaker, an ever-present last term, is also staying as is versatile defender Jack Cowgill.

The defenders will have a safe pair of hands behind them as keeper Dec Lambton returns. Last season he claimed an impressive 17 clean sheets in 42 appearances.

Vice-chairman Marcus Pound said: “We knew we might lose some players during the break as they have been offered new opportunities or didn’t want to move up to Step 4 but I’m delighted the majority of the squad has decided to stay.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our retained players to have a chance to play at a higher level after securing the promotion for us. Secondly, it gives Richard continuity and a basis to work from, along with the ability to add to the quality in the squad we already have.”

A full list of players who have been retained is as follows:

Alex Metcalfe
Charlie Barks
Declan Lambton
Donae Lawrence
Isaac Baldwin
Jack Cowgill
James Walshaw
Joe Clegg
Joe Kenny
Nathan Curtis
Ross Hardaker
Sam Pashley
Tom Haigh

Emley v Town at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground is all-ticket and tickets at £15 for adults and £10 concessions must be booked online at https://shop.emleyafc.co.uk/product/emley-afc-v-huddersfield-town-tickets/

Gates open at 1pm and kick-off is 3pm.

Emley chairman Andrew Painten confirmed that Town were expected to bring a first team squad and said that by Thursday afternoon more than 1,300 tickets had been sold.

Mr Painten added: “Hopefully there’ll be a flurry of ticket sales over the last 24 hours or so. It’s a big game for us.”

Images by: MARK PARSONS