XI questions with | Alfreton Town

And across the country, supporters are preparing for the new campaign with renewed hope and ambition for the season ahead.

Ahead of the 2026/27 campaign getting underway on Saturday 8 August, we sat down with supporters from the NPL clubs at Step 3 to hear their thoughts on how things are shaping up.

Today, it's the turn of Alfreton Town and Jack Barker.

A bitterly disappointing season in 2025/26 saw Alfreton relegated on the final day after a draw with Curzon Ashton. How do you claw back some positive momentum and ensure you bounce back at the first opportunity?

A really difficult question! 

To go down in the way we did was a really tough one to take. There were even points during that final game where we were staying at Step 2. Ultimately, results elsewhere sent us down, but I think most supporters would agree with me in saying that over the 46 games last season, we deserved our fate. 

We had a seven-game unbeaten spell at the end of the season, giving us hope, and hopefully that form can be continued into the new season so we can make a really positive start at Step 3.

Jake Buxton was appointed as manager in October 2025. How do you assess his leadership so far? Are you confident in his ability to lead the team to consistent success? 

Jake joined us in what was a very turbulent period of the season after the highly popular previous management team (Billy Heath & Mark Carroll) had departed, and were followed by an extremely unpopular interim team. 

He’s taken a massive risk, coming to us from a comfortable position at Derby County, for his first full managerial position. 

Despite relegation, he has endeared himself to supporters with his open, honest and approachable style. Obviously, there are still question marks over whether he can lead us to success after a relatively short period in charge, but he deserves the opportunity to prove he can. 

Sum up your transfer window so far… 

It’s been a good start, but I think there’s plenty of work still to be done before the season kicks off. 

The likes of Charlie Finney, Connor Dixon and Reco Fyfe have come through the door already this pre-season. As we approach the new campaign, who are you most excited to watch from the signings already made?

Retaining Dylan Youmbi and Siya Ligendza has been our best business so far: two exciting players with potential to have great seasons. 

The recruitment of the players mentioned, who are already accomplished at the level, is a real positive too.

I do feel we’re still in need of some standout quality and older heads to blend with the young and inexperienced group we’ve got at the moment. 

As you touched on there, how big are the losses of Lewis Salmon, Adam Lund, George Cantrill and Josh Clackstone? Some real experience has been lost from your team, hasn't it?

We’ve lost a lot of quality and experience with the names you’ve mentioned, as well as others that have departed this summer. 

Unusually for a club at this level, that group of players had stayed together for a number of years and gave their all for the time they were at the club. I think me and all supporters wish them well. 

A return to the NPL means clashes against Ilkeston Town. How excited are you to renew that rivalry? 

I'm really excited. These are the first games supporters look out for on fixture release day. 

We haven’t had a proper local derby for a few years now while at Step 2, so those games are very much ones to look forward to. There’s also an added edge with the amount of players that have left Ilkeston this summer to come and join us!

Which new away ground are you most excited to visit, and why? 

I know that Whitby Town away is high up on the list for a lot of people, as a ground we haven’t played at for a long time. There’s the obvious potential for a weekend away too if the fixtures are kind! 

Bury’s Gigg Lane is one I'm personally looking forward to. It’s a historic stadium which will serve up an incredible atmosphere for Step 3. 

What does a successful season look like for Alfreton Town? Is anything but promotion a failure, in your eyes, and as supporters, do you have any major concerns ahead of the new campaign? 

Absolutely not. I think most supporters would agree with me when I say that we need a year of stability after such a whirlwind 12 months. 

An entire new squad, and still lots of clubs with more spending power than us, means we have to be realistic. A play-off push would be incredible, but I think anywhere between sixth and 13th in the table would be considered a good season for us. 

There are still concerns amongst supporters regarding what is happening off the pitch. 

American owner Will Rush has put the club up for sale after failing to deliver on his promises, so without fresh investment from a change in ownership, there are question marks around the long-term funding of the club. 

You have a few minutes with the squad ahead of the opening weekend. What are you saying to them? 

They are part of a completely fresh start for the club which they should really embrace. 

Many will be unknown names and faces to supporters, but they’ve got a chance to make themselves known. Work hard, show a willingness to learn and improve, and you’ll soon become a fan favourite. 

Who are you expecting to be the league’s dark horses for 2026/27, and why?

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of the newly-promoted sides continue their upward trajectory, particularly Emley and Redcar, who look to have recruited well so far. 

Aside from those, I wouldn’t discount Cleethorpes and Ashton United, who look like they could be a real threat. Hopefully we might enter the discussion after a few more signings and a positive start to the season! 

Who wins the league’s Golden Boot this season, and who do you expect to have a fine season in front of goal for your club?

I’m sure Kurt Willoughby will be right up there for Ashton: a player that is a proven goalscorer at Step 2, and someone who would get into most teams in the NPL. 

Jordan Thewlis, a name well known to Reds supporters, is likely to have another good season too in a strong-looking Guiseley side. For us, Siya Ligendza will be heavily relied upon to score plenty of goals. 

He quickly became a fan favourite last season with his lightning pace, willingness to work hard, and a keen eye for goal. He will look to improve upon his haul of seven from last season.