Pitchero Non League

....go for promotion next season.

Moors have won the last three Northern League titles and up to now never expressed an interest in promotion, but now they’re aiming for the next step in the national system - the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North.

“When Brad Groves came to the club as chairman, he said that he had a five-year plan, and would only go for promotion when he felt that the club was ready,” said Ainsley, who has signed several players in recent weeks.

“We aim to have a ground covered on all four sides, brand new floodlighting, and a new clubhouse all by the end of the new season. Every player who has signed for the club in the summer is used to the level above, and wants to play at that level again.

“Assuming that we’ll be in a promotion position at the end of the season, then everything will be geared towards playing at a higher level. Brad has always said that he’ll go up when the club is ready, and we’re getting close to it. There are a lot of positive things going on.”

Ainsley has played in both the Northern League and the level above in his long career, and now he wants to manage in both. “I want to manage at the highest level possible, and prove myself as a manager at the next level.

“I do believe that the Northern League is a harder league than the NPL First Division, and that the top ten teams in the Northern League could easily survive in the NPL.

“I also think that it should be a stipulation that the Northern League title winners take promotion, so then it will stop all the controversy and moaning.”

Ainsley has been very active in the signings market in the last fortnight.

Two, Mark Davison and Joe Walton, have come from Sunderland RCA, who finished in the top four last season and will be re-united with former RCA assistant-manager Glen McCartney, who is now coach at Spennymoor.

Micky Rae has returned to Moors after helping West Auckland Town finished second in the league and reach the FA Vase final, while Glen Taylor has moved from Blyth Spartans where he was top scorer last season. He is reunited with Gavin Fell, who is now assistant-manager at the Brewery Field after leaving Blyth at the end of the season.

Winger Wayne Phillips has plenty of experience at a higher level having played for Gateshead, Harrogate Town and his last club Blyth.

Moors also pipped several Northern League clubs for the signature of Neal Hooks, who was also at Blyth last season, and to complete their raid on Croft Park, Moors have also signed defender Dan Groves.

Four more Spennymoor players have pledged their futures to the club by signing new deals - Kallum Griffiths, Danny Moore, Steve Capper and Keith Graydon.

On the other hand, five players have been put on the transfer list. Sonny Andrews, who won the club's `golden boot` award, Adam Johnston, Calvin Smith, Jamie Harwood and Paul Stephenson can all leave the club, although interested clubs will have to pay a fee because they're all on contract.

Tags: News | Spennymoor Town

• The Northern Football League
• Division 2
  • + Davison to Concentrate on Playing
• • + Quakers Appeal for Help
• Division 1
  • + Arnison Joins Celtic Nation
  • + New Striker for Bishops
  • + New Attacker and Defender for Town
  • + Hagan Takes Shields Role
  • + Veteran Williams Back at Penrith Helm
• Division 2
  • + Green Takes Whitehaven Helm
• • + McReady Steps Up
• Division 1
  • + Gray Delighted With Brown Arrival
  • + Stokesley Add Two Ex-Young Pros
  • + Quakers First League Game a Sell-Out
  • + South Shields Stay at Filtrona Park
  • + Darlington Win Table-Topping Encounter
  • + Shildon Bag Prolific Striker
  • + Darlo Need More Investment
  • + Double Coup for Terriers
  • + Darlo Boost for Northern League
  • + Godsmark Blow for Colliers
• • + Benfield Through to League Cup Semi