Hindley Rewarded For Success

“Objective achieved. Now people will see how good Retford United really are; don’t write us off for back-to-back promotions.” Badgers manager, Ryan Hindley, May 2023

Badgers boss, Ryan Hindley, who took the helm last summer and has guided the Cannon Park outfit to the Central Midlands League Premier North title, and with it, promotion, has been rewarded by the powers-that-be with a new contract.

When he took over at the club, following a runners-up finish the season before, there was but remit from Nik Springthorpe and the board, promotion, seemingly at all costs, and boy did they achieve that objective.

In finishing fourteen points clear of second placed Dearne & District, and a season which, for the Badgers at least, finished near four weeks ago, and saw them match the 77pts, championship-winning haul registered by Newark Town the season before.

That’s where the similarities end though, for Retford United, barring any FA interventions, should take their place in next seasons Northern Counties East League Division One, and with it, an eagerly-anticipated, local scrap, with neighbours Retford (they won the CML North in 2019, with 69pts).

Hindley, who’s side notched an impressive 90 goals in all competitions in the season just finished, has already prepared to go again as well, despite the departure of Jonathan Froggatt (15 in 28), replacing him with the returning Ashley Worsfold (former Gainsborough Trinity and Basford United hitman), following a spell away from the sport.

Looking back at the season just finished, and his being rewarded with a new contract, Hindley told the Nottingham Sport: “The credit (for the title-winning squad), it’s not mine.

“We’ve got a great group of lads here, and I mean a really great group.

“I’ve been in some really good, and some really bad, dressing rooms, and this one, it beats those.

“They’re certainly a band of brothers, a band who have a lot of belief in, and care for, each other, which is great to see.

“As for the new contract, it’s what’s right for me, and for the club as well.

“It’s given me some security, which is what is needed and, now we’ve sorted pre-season, and got signings in/lined up, we can rest a bit.

“We’ve got what we deserve; I achieved the objective set for us (at the start of the season), an objective which really should have been a given anyway.”

Having singled out, on a number of occasions this past season, the challenge afforded by the likes of Dearne & District, Hindley knows how the land lies, and with it, what a side, which he’s had in front of him, should really be achieving.

The addition of Worsfold, and others to come, alongside that of Mark West (16 in 21), and Craig Mitchell (13 in 25), will afford the Badgers some firepower next season – which is saying something when twenty of the title-winning squad, all scored.

Building from the back, and leading from the front, Hindley though, being who he is, wants more.

“Westy (striker Mark West), he’s a machine and is chomping at the bit already, to start again,” continued the Badgers boss, looking ahead.

“He’s got a reputation, we all know that, and that’s something that stays with you.

“But this, promotion, it’s a fresh slate for him, and the rest of the squad.

“I’ll be looking to keep around 80% of it, whilst bringing in some fresh faces, for a higher league.”

That higher league, along with the local dust-up against Chris Woodhead’s Retford, will see the Badgers entertain, and oppose, the likes of Harrogate Railway, Wakefield, Brigg Town, Nostell Miners Welfare, Parkgate, as well as the two, relegated sides, in Goole, and Yorkshire Amateur.

The Badgers though, they’re ready for the challenge ahead, more than in all honesty.

Incoming signings, alongside the majority of last season’s title-winners, will ensure that they’re not there to make up the numbers come kick-off on the opening day.

“I’m not being big-headed here, but we should be favourites to win it (NCEL Division One),” explained Hindley.

“We’d be favourites along with Harrogate (Railway) and Wakefield; it’s what we, as a club, will expect.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a tough league, and it’s relentless, we know that, but for us, we want to win the league, and take a good stab at the FA Vase, when it starts again.”

Always one to say what he thinks, and means, next season should be an interesting one, and the Badgers, they’ve got pretty much everything in place to make a really good stab at things.

Retford United versus Retford though, that derby match, whenever the fixture slots it into the footballing calendar, will, almost certainly, be a pair of matches football fans everywhere, will want to get to.

“We’re looking at bringing some big names to the club,” delighted Hindley.

“We have to do that because we’re Retford United, and we have the best board, the best sponsors, best fans in the league.

“As for the Retford derby, it will be exciting, and is surely the biggest derby outside of the Northern Premier League.

“I’m looking forward to it and Chris (Woodhead, Retford manager), he’s done a fantastic job there.”

Right now though, it’s all about crossing t’s, dotting I’s, getting those summer signings through the door, and making sure pre-season gives the momentum needed ahead of the season ahead.

The Badgers, they’ll be back in training late June, ahead of the first friendly match, away, on 5 July, Hindley having lined up six outings, evenly split between home and away, in order to prepare for the season ahead.

Those six, pre-season friendlies for the Badgers, are as follows

Handsworth (5 July, a), Mansfield Town (11 July, h), Matlock Town (15 July, h), Sheffield FC (18 July, h), Eastwood CFC (22 July, 1), SJR Worksop (25 July, a)

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