XI questions with | Curzon Ashton

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 Dredz Weston from Curzon Ashton. 

Sum up your transfer window so far. There have been a few incomings and outgoings, haven’t there?

Yeah, it has been an interesting pre-season transfer window. 

Following relegation, it's been nice to keep key players with a lot of experience. The players we have brought in are a few young lads I don't know much about, but the two midfielders are very impressive in Danny Whitehead and Joe Nolan. 

Overall, I'm pretty happy.

Last season was obviously incredibly disappointing, being relegated on the final day. How confident are you that the side you’re assembling can bounce straight back?

Yes, relegation was tough and unfortunate with it being the highest points tally ever in the National League North to be relegated. 

I think it will be very hard to bounce back straight away, with teams like Bury in the league and so many local derbies, but I feel we have as good a chance as anyone. 

We have goals in the team, strengthened midfield and it looks like a stronger defence now Marcus Poscha is back from injury.

Manager Adam Barton has been in charge since March. Do you think his experience and knowledge of the club will pay dividends in his first full season at the helm?

Adam Barton might not have much managerial experience, but being a player who has played internationally [one cap for Northern Ireland] and professionally for teams like Coventry City, Portsmouth and Dundee Utd, he has a lot of contacts. 

He loves the club having been here for five years, and wants to repay the club for relegation last term, which was hard for him to take.

Of the new signings brought into the club so far, who are you most excited to watch?

I always look forward to seeing all the new faces when they come to the club, but I'm looking forward to seeing a very competitive midfield, so I’d say Danny Whitehead and Joe Nolan. 

In terms of what’s happening on the field, are there any concerns heading into the new season?

No, I don't have any concerns. I think we have recruited well and plugged the gaps where we’ve had problems. I think we should be very competitive.

What does a successful season look like for you?

It is very hard being a relegated team. Look at Warrington Town last season, who took time to reacclimatise to the division. 

A successful season will be reaching the play-offs, which will be hard to achieve. Last season we were always underdogs, but this time in a lower league, teams will be wary of us.

Who do you think could be the league’s dark horses?

I can't look past anyone but Bury. 

They’ve got a passionate manager who has done it before, and a massive fan base for this level.

Which stadium are you most excited about visiting?

As someone who has done so many stadiums, I'm looking forward to going to Stockton Town, Redcar Athletic, Cleethorpes Town and Quorn. 

They are four grounds I have never visited!

There are a lot of clubs local to you in the division this season. Who will be the first team you look for when the fixtures are released?

There are an awful lot of local games this year, but I’d probably say Bury or FC United of Manchester.

Who do you expect to be the most important player in the squad this season?

I think keeping Jimmy Spencer fit will be important if we want to achieve anything this season.

Tell us one player who opposition fans should look out for, and why?

Tony Weston is far too good for this division. Along with Brad Holmes and Alex Curran, all three will be goal threats.