Emley AFC and Golcar United will go head-to-head in the same league this season – and they face each other at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Friday July 1 (7.45) as the countdown starts to the new campaign.
Golcar won promotion to the Northern Counties East League Premier Division at the end of last season and join Kirklees rivals Emley who were promoted a year earlier.
Both clubs are bringing in new players and Emley boss Richard Tracey and opposite number Ash Connor both say fans could get a first look at some of the new recruits.
Tracey said: “We’ve been back for about a month now and training has gone really well. We are excited for the game and I’ve had a conversation with Ash on the phone.
“We’ve agreed to play mixed teams throughout the game so everyone should get some minutes which, in essence, is what these first few friendlies are about.
“We are hoping a bit of a crowd will come down, that’d be good to see. As with Golcar, our supporters will get to see some new faces.
“We haven’t announced any yet but if you come on Friday you may get to see some. We’ll also be having a look at a few players in the game who have joined us on trial. So it should be an interesting encounter all in all.”
Weavers boss Connor said fans should get to see the club’s new forward Slater Barnes, signed from Huddersfield Amateurs. Also coming in is Kayle Price, who scored 34 goals last season. He’s a replacement for the prolific Ash Flynn, who’s joined Yorkshire Amateurs.
Connor said: “This will be the lads’ first run out and it will give us a chance to see how they are looking in a game situation.
“It should be a good atmosphere as both clubs get on. Fans will get a chance to see Slater Barnes as he’ll play in the game. We are excited to see Slater as we believe in him as a player.
“When you get to this stage you feel like the new season is truly starting. The result is not important on Friday but the performance and the fitness test is. We wanted to be challenged in pre-season and playing teams like Emley do that.”
Tickets are £5 for adults and £2.50 concessions.
