Bullish 'Bridge boss sets sights on West Yorkshire League crown
BOROUGHBRIDGE boss Daz Ekin is adamant his side can win the West Yorkshire Premier League title after a successful transfer raid over the summer.
The Aldborough Road gaffer is high on confidence heading into the start of their season after a quartet of young attackers signed on the dotted line from two rivals clubs.
Fraser Lancaster and Chris Hastings make the switch from Knaresborough.
Meanwhile brothers Ben and Dan Clayton have also joined the 'Bridge revolution from near neighbours Ripon City.
"We want to win it this season," said Ekin.
"That's our aim. We've got to go out there looking to win it. We finished fifth last season but after the start we had we had we were all a bit disappointed with that.
"We're going to give it our best shot but we're going to do it playing attacking football. "We've signed some really exciting attacking footballers in the window so we'll have to play that way.
"We're just looking for a central defender now as Steve Tovey's moved away with the army. Stu Henry has also moved elsewhere but that's what you get with the army lads. If we get another one in there we're looking really strong.
"Of course Bardsey are the team to beat. They'll have a good strong side again there no doubt there but the likes of Sherburn and Knaresborough we think we can pull them in so we've got no fears there."
Another plus for 'Bridge this term will be the return of club chairman Andrew Willey who was absent for a lot of last season through bad health.
However as Ekin explains the Aldborough Road stalwart is back and raring to go: "He was thinking about calling it a day last season but he's feeling a lot better now and decide to have another year as chairman which is great news for the club.
"We missed him last year. It's a big plus for us because he's a great character to have. He comes in the dressing after the game to talk to the players and we've missed that.
"It will be good to have him back."
'Bridge have had a busy pre-season.
They welcomed a Doncaster Rovers XI onWednesday, winning 4-2 after goals by Ben Jones, Fraser Lancaster, Paul Eagling and Andy O'Hare.
Ekin's side continue their friendly fixtures away at Garforth Town tomorrow (3pm ko) before the visit of Copmanthorpe on Wednesday.
The Claytons have left Mallorie Park but RIPON CITY boss Charlie Brown insists the club will plough on regardless as they aim to start their West Yorkshire Premier League campaign with a bang when it kicks off on August 14.
Youngsters Ben and Dan have made the short switch to rivals Boroughbridge and dad Paul is "99 per cent" likely to leave City too according to Brown as he looks to further his coaching career at another club.
It means Alan Woodbridge and club captain Paul Vincent will step up to fill the void. And with Tom Leeming returning from neighbours Kirkby Malzeard Brown is confident he has the squad to compete against the big boys.
City had a steady season on the pitch last year, finishing fourth bottom in the Premier League order.
They did however pick up some memorable victories on the way including a 1-0 win at Beeston St Anthony's in February and the 5-0 thrashing of Bardsey back in August last year.
"I'm not bothered if players move up leagues but for them to move down a standard or to clubs who play in the same league then it is disappointing but you've just got to get on with it," said Brown.
"Paul has been on a course to take his UEFA B coaching badge. He wants to move on and coach somewhere else and you can't blame him at all. It'll be a big loss but we've got people to come in. Alan Woodbridge and Paul Vincent wants to take a more hands on approach this season and that's good.
"But I don't really want to talk about players who don't want to play for the club. I want to look at players who want to play for Ripon. We've brought one or two in and we're looking at a few more."
Meanwhile Brown said the plans to move away from Mallorie Park have progessed and more news will be available soon.
City's pre-season schedule is about to get underway but the club are waiting to see who they'll face in their first Premier League clash of the season.
It is expected the campaign will start on August 14 but that will be confirmed by the West Riding FA at a meeting on August 2.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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