Penistone Church are optimistic of gaining entry to the Northern Counties East League.
The 108-year-old club currently play in the Sheffield County Senior competition, but have applied to step up the non-league ladder.
If they get the green light, they will enter the NCEL First Division and compete against the likes of AFC Emley, Worsbrough Bridge and Eccleshill next season.
It would be a big move, but Church are confident it’s one they could tackle.
“It’s not something we’ve gone into lightly,” said David Hampshire, secretary of the community-orientated club, who play at the Memorial Ground, close to the centre of Penistone, and run a string of sides at both senior and junior level.
“We have done a lot of work on the ground, so we know it meets the criteria.
“And the stipulation is that to apply to move up, you must finish in the top five, which we have done.
“We were a bit disappointed to be fourth (champions Handsworth, Oughtibridge WMSC and Houghton Main all finished higher).
“But we won the League Cup (Houghton Main were beaten 3-1 in the final at Worksop).
“And we believe we have the nucleus of a decent squad which with a few additions, would give us a chance of being competitive in the Northern Counties.”
Founder members of the County Senior League, Church were inspired to seek promotion after a run to the semi-finals of the Sheffield Senior Cup in 2011-12.
“We beat Nostell and Hemsworth, both from the Northern Counties, before losing 3-2 to in the semi-finals to Worksop Town, who went on to win the cup,” said Hampshire.
“I think that gave the whole club a taste of what it might be like to play at a higher level and it also stimulated interest within the town.
“We have a solid hardcore of supporters and we have strong links within Penistone.
“We always try to support local businesses and with the junior set-up flourishing, we have a lot of people coming through the doors.”
Moving into the NCEL would clearly bring increased costs for a club who by their own admission, have no big backers.
But Hampshire added: “We’ve looked closely at the financial implications and the extra distances we might be covering to get to games and believe we would cope.
“They players are certainly up for it, and as officials, we would also enjoy the challenge, so hopefully our application will be successful.”
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