It has been a highly successful season on the pitch for AFC Emley, with all three sides seeing their own share of the success.
Firstly, Darren Hepworth’s First Team side enjoyed their best ever season since the reformation, finishing in 5th position. However, it could have been a completely different story with the side sitting top for a long run of the season, but with the other teams fighting for the top spots still having games in hand, Emley were not able to hold on. Throughout the season the team has seen numerous hard fought games, including a 1-0 home win against eventually promoted side Pontefract Collieries, as well as taking North Shields right to the wire in the FA Vase, with the Newcastle based side going on to win in the final at Wembley. However, the season gives the side a good foundation going into next season as they look to take that extra step.
Elsewhere it was a good season for the Development Squad as they ran out clear winners of their league, finishing ten points clear of second placed Brighouse Town. However, the side did suffer heart break in the cup, as they fell at the final hurdle, losing 2-0 to Denaby Main, although this will serve as a good learning curve for the players as they look to continue this seasons success whilst also looking to challenge for a first team birth.
As for Howard Cartledge’s under 19’s side, they too won their league for the second season running, finishing top on 34 points, meaning they can go into next season looking to continue the hard work from the past season.
Finally, a thank you from me to all at AFC Emley for welcoming me at the club, it has been great fun reporting on all three sides’ success and hopefully they can continue the hard work from this season into the next. Hopefully I will be able to get up to see you all over the course of next year and I wish all three sides all the best for the future.