ATHERSLEY Rec are hoping to stay in NCEL Division One with one of the lowest budgets and youngest squads.
The Penguins finished 18th last season, with 44 points from 42 games – two places and 12 points clear of the three-team relegation zone.
They collected just eight points from the last 18 games of the season and have not won at home in 2025.
Rob Landon has replaced Paul Clarkson as manager. He said: “The aim is to stay up. Our budget isn’t great and the chairman says, if we stay up on our own merit, we’ve done well.
“We have a very young side. I coached the 21s last season and they won the double. We have brought a lot of those young lads though.
“We lost a lot of players in the middle of last season and that could happen again. We train them up then give them a platform but other clubs come in and offer them money. But we just need to build a side with togetherness who want to play for Athersley Rec.”
Rec are due to host Club Thorne Colliery on Saturday then Maltby Main in the League Cup on Tuesday.
