PENISTONE Church have been the highest-placed non-league club in Barnsley for almost a decade but face new challengers in newly-promoted duo Dearne and District and Worsbrough Bridge.
Church finished 13th last season, the lowest they have come since joining the Premier Division, in 2017 and competing for promotion most seasons.
But they ended the campaign on a high with a club record attendance of more than 1,000 when they beat Sheffield on the final day.
Coach John Whitehead said: “The biggest thing about last season was the amount of silly and naive goals we conceded, late on in games.
“Whether it was fitness-based, we were unsure but we’re working hard to make sure it’s not a factor this season. We think it cost us 15 to 18 points, which would take us up to eighth or ninth.
“We don’t want to be looking down the table this season and we want to finish higher than last season.
“It’s top ten minimum then, if we can, we will try to kick on and get in the play-offs.
“The budgets in the league are particularly silly. Ours is quite modest but we want to be really competitive and compete with the so-called bigger boys.
“We are fortunate we have a really good fanbase.
“We get around the 300-mark every game and we need that to help the club grow.
“If we don’t get people through the gate it impacts the budget to pay the players.
“The fans are loyal and we appreciate everything they do. The 1,000 fans was a real team effort from everyone.”
Penistone host Campion on Saturday then visit Dearne in midweek. Whitehead said: “Dearne have a nice budget and a good squad of players already.
“They have invested well.
“They will want to start well to ensure they are not in a relegation scrap and I am sure they won’t be. They are a really strong addition to the league, another local rival that we will need our boys to be right up for.”
Church have signed Elliott Harrison, Harry Viggars and Matty Lee while striker Kieran Ryan is back from a long-term injury and they are hopefully regular scorer Sam Scrivens returns soon.
Whitehead said: “We’ve had a good, intense fitness programme for pre-season.
“It’s been a challenging summer with the heat and with England being in the World Cup we’ve had to move or cancel some training sessions.
“But the lads have been doing stuff of their own backs.”
