The football season has barely ended for AFC Emley but manager Darren Hepworth is already plotting for the 2012-13 campaign and he has his sights set on a big improvement on his side’s 10th place NCEL Division One finish.

Hepworth has wasted no time in announcing three additions to his backroom team and now has his sights set on bolstering his squad of players.

Firstly Stuart Dawson of Edge Sports Analysis has been appointed as Lead Analyst. Dawson’s role is to video the game and pick out key areas for improvement both during the action and in post match analysis. Dawson has formerly worked for Huddersfield Town and carried out the role on a trial basis towards the end of last season.

Hepworth has also brought in former Emley player Joe Howson to work alongside Emley stalwarts Nicky Bramald and Ray Dennis running the reserve team. Howson was player manager at Huddersfield District league side Cumberworth throughout last season.

Finally joining the club from league rivals Handsworth is Patrick Piearcey who will be responsible for Player Development. Piearcey is currently on the coaching staff of Sheffield United and was in charge of Handsworth’s second XI last season.

A delighted Hepworth commented:
"I believe that creating the right environment off the field is vital to success on it. These three appointments compliment the excellent management team already in place but will also provide specific expertise on areas we need to focus on. Introducing Stu with his professional analysis and insight in the final couple of months of this season worked brilliantly. It helped improve our team shape and individually players benefitted from coaching supported by facts and video evidence. Joe I believe has huge potential as a coach. He knows the club inside out and has cut his teeth in local football. Pat I've known for around twenty years. He is a very experienced coach with international experience and currently on the books of a league club. His brief is to work with Stu focussing on all aspects of player development - something we are all very passionate about".

The trio join coach Roly Lanes, Physio Annette Tinsley and Assistant John Mason in the backroom team whilst Hepworth has handed committee member Graeme Dodgson the role of Chief Scout.

In order to give local players the opportunity to impress, the club has arranged an open trial to take place at Woodfield Park Sports Ground on Sunday May 20th (10am start).

"One thing I'm absolutely determined to do is promote the fact that we are a Huddersfield club and I want local lads playing for us. Over the past few weeks I've taken in a lot of local league football and there are quality players in the West Riding and Huddersfield District Leagues more than capable of playing in the Northern Counties divisions and higher. If they have ambition to progress in football at an ambitious club with excellent facilities they need to look no further than AFC Emley. We are hoping for an excellent showing at the open trials and the best talent will be invited back for pre-season training. I've also been busy on the recruitment front targeting local players - without giving anything away just yet I'm delighted with those who have confirmed they are joining for our assault on the league next season".

Pre-season training begins on 5th June with sessions to be held at Scissett Middle School each Tuesday and Thursday Evening and a number of quality friendly matches have been lined up with announcements to be made soon.

President Rob Dixon also revealed that Emley are also planning to form an Under 19 Academy side to play in the Northern u19 Alliance League and are actively looking to appoint a manager for this side.

“The aim of this side is to act as a natural progression for players to make the step up from junior football. The role would involve working alongside the first and second team managers to hone the talents of the youngsters and ultimately bring them through into the senior teams. The Alliance is a really competitive league and games are to be played in midweek under the floodlights up at the Welfare Ground.”

Applicants for the post should email Rob on [url]rob.afcemley@gmail.com[/url]or write to the club at The Welfare Ground, Emley, Huddersfield, HD8 9RE.