Retford Rivals Look Ahead To NCEL

Already deep into pre-season, Bassetlaw’s non-league rivals, Retford and Retford United, are looking ahead to a new season, and with it, new challenges.

After a couple of seasons in the United Counties League Division One, the Choughs, led by Chris Woodhead, and the Badgers, guided by Ryan Hindley, have been moved back whence they came, to the Macron Northern Counties East League.

This time around though, it’s a whole new kettle of fish for the Retford rivals, promotion last time around seeing them placed into a challenging, yet exciting, NCEL Premier Division, and both are quietly confident for the season ahead.

Woodhead’s charges, they finished as runners-up in 2025, before losing the play-off final to Blackstones, going one better in 2026 and winning the league outright; their near neighbours, and Hindley’s free-scoring side, they finished third in ’25, losing in the play-off semi-final also to Blackstones, before they themselves went one better by finishing as runners-up, and winning the play-offs, on penalties against Coalville Town.

Both sides amassed over 100 points last season, and although that marker may well be a touch much this time around, the pair are expecting, at least, a run for the play-offs.

Choughs boss, Chris Woodhead, who has seen success across the board with the club last season, for their senior side, U21s, and ladies teams, will host Handsworth on the opening day before travelling to Campion for their first midweek game.

Draws have also been made for the opening rounds of the FA Cup, and FA Vase competitions, with Retford facing a tasty trip to UCL Premier North side, Skegness Town, in the former, and hosting North West Counties League Premier side, Euxton Villa, in the latter.

Speaking to the Nottingham Sport, Woody said of the new season; “It’ll be tough, but hopefully we can push for another promotion.

“Moving back here (NCEL) hasn’t bothered me too much as we’ve played here before, we just had to make a few, little changes.

“Facing Skegness though, it’s a great chance to go there, cause an upset, and progress.

“It’ll be interesting, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Badgers boss, Hindley, meanwhile, has seen his side drawn to face another UCL Premier North side, and a Notts-based club, in AFC Mansfield, whilst their league campaign begins away to Golcar United, followed by a midweek clash at home to Pickering Town.

Like his opposite number, Hindley is excited for the season ahead, telling the Nottingham Sport; “(AFC) Mansfield will be a tough test, but I’m expecting us to go far this season, especially with the squad we’ve put together.

“I’m excited for us to be back in the FA Cup, whilst the Vase, I expect us to be the last NCEL side left in it.

“The change in leagues though meant we had to look for players to accommodate that, and not the UCL; it’s a change in momentum, but myself and the management team are used to the NCEL, although we were enjoying the UCL.”

It’s going to be a long season ahead for the two Retford sides as well, more if they’re expecting to go far in the national cup competitions, but both are no strangers to fighting at the top of a league, recent history has shown just as much.

Now, with pre-season well underway, focus will, very soon, be turning to the league itself, with it due to kick-off in earnest on Saturday 25 July; competing alongside Woodhead and Hindley in the NCEL Premier this coming season will be that of – Albion Sports, Barton Town, Bottesford Town, Campion, Dearne & District, Frickley Athletic, Golcar United, Handsworth, Horbury Town, Keighley Town, Knaresborough Town, Parkgate, Pennistone Church, Pickering Town, Rossington Main, Tadcaster Albion, Thackley, and Worsbrough Bridge Athletic.

Looking forward to what lies in-store, Woodhead added; “The aim is for the play-offs, that’s what we’re looking at.

“But there’ll be a good few clubs in the mix, some really good sides.

“What I’m looking forward to most though is taking our fans to new grounds, and new places.”

Meanwhile, for Hindley, he feels that, although that perhaps the better sides have left, Liversedge and Beverley Town promoted, Sheffield moved into the UCL, it’s still an open league.

“Facing Golcar in the opener will be interesting, but the league won’t shape up properly until September onwards,” admitted the Badgers boss.

“I feel there’ll be four-to-five sides in the mix though, and I’m wanting a top five finish.

“It’ll be good to reacquaint with some old friends, going back to places I’ve had spells, but we’re in a good place ourselves, with a really good group of players.”

The new season in the Macron Northern Counties East League Premier Division kicks off in under two weeks, with the following fixtures opening for the two Retford’s.

RETFORD – Handsworth (h, Sat. 25 July), Campion (a, Weds. 29 July), Dearne & District (h, Sat. 1 August), Skegness Town (FA Cup EPR, Sat. 8 August)

RETFORD UNITED – Golcar United (a, Sat. 25 July), Pickering Town (h, Weds. 29 July), Keighley Town (a, Sat. 1 August), AFC Mansfield (FA Cup EPR, a, Sat. 8 August)

Keep up-to-date with the two Retford sides via their X accounts, Retford and Retford United.