Hednesford boss tips 12 title rivals

Hednesford manager Rob Smith today predicted as many as 13 teams could be crowned champions of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League next season.

The Pitmen boss reckons his side and half of the division stand a chance of finishing in top spot and going up automatically to the Blue Square North.

Smith's men briefly flirted with the title last season and were level on points with champions Chester after beating them in January, before falling away.

A play-off semi-final defeat to Bradford Park Avenue put paid to their dreams of promotion in the end-of-season lottery for a third straight year.

But Smith believes first place is there for the taking this time after Chester and Bradford PA both went up, while Northwich were demoted a division.

Promotion remains the only goal for the Pitmen but getting to April without the need for nail-biting would be a welcome relief for Smith.

He said: "Three big sides have left this division and, when you look at it, it's so hard to call and it's going to be so competitive.

"I really can't see anyone running away with the league this season, it will be tight and it should be an interesting time.

"What we try to do is improve year on year and we are aiming for the play-offs as a minimum, anything above that is a bonus.

"To try and get automatic promotion, with just the one place, is just so difficult but we will give it our best shot.

"There's probably 12 or 13 sides in with a shout of the title, I certainly wouldn't like to guess who is going to win our league."

The Keys Park boss faces up to a campaign without Larry Chambers for the first time in 12 years after he stepped down as his assistant.

Pitmen legend and former manager Chris Brindley has replaced him but Chambers may yet return at a later date.

Smith's trusted right-hand man has played an active role in the club's six new signings this summer, Smith revealed.

He said: "Larry has been very heavily involved with all of the player negotiations so far so he's still hands in, at the moment.

"But, in terms of being back in the dugout, I would say it's certain we won't see him this side of Christmas."