Marsden FC boss Luke Haigh is feeling positive ahead of the new season with how the club is progressing both on and off the pitch.
After last season’s promotion from the Yorkshire Amateur League second division to the Championship, the club has stepped up its ground improvements for the new campaign.
On those changes Haigh said: “The pitch has been slightly extended this season and our sponsor boards are going up around the pitch.
“The dug-outs should have fixed seating before the season starts. We have so much more work to do at the ground still with ongoing discussions about floodlights, a stand and other stuff to take the club to the next level.”
Marsden won Division Two at a canter last campaign winning that league by 10 points, only losing one game, scoring 134 goals and only conceding 30. The club has now jumped up two divisions and Haigh is expecting it to be a tougher challenge.
He said: “Pre-season is now underway and we have had new players come into the club and make an immediate impression.
“The results are irrelevant in pre-season games however the performances and fitness levels have been right. Our aim is to become a top six team in the Supreme Division of the YAL within the next two years.
“However, we have jumped up two divisions this season and we will now be competing in the championship division. It looks a strong league this season and the lads need to be up for the fight from the get go. I only want lads who are 100% committed to the club.”
Looking ahead, Haigh added: “We are slowly building for the future and I’m wanting to create a clear pathway for our junior teams to come through the system and progress into the reserves and eventually the first team.
“We have a new under 17s team this year and I will be keeping a keen eye out for their results and making a couple of trips up to watch them for sure.
“Everything we are doing at the club at the moment is building for the future. For too long ex-Marsden players have upped sticks and left the club due to having no infrastructure and pathway for the players to come through when they finish in the junior section. I’m hoping to change that while I’m at the club.”
The new season starts away at Nostell Miners Welfare on Saturday August 26.
