Hucknall Town captain says Liam Hearn could be a difference-maker in side's title ambitions

The defender says Hearn will bring valuable experience to the Watnall Road squad and add a cutting edge that was perhaps lacking last season.

The Yellows finished the aborted East Midlands Counties League season fifth in the Premier Division.

But Short feels his side could now have what it takes to challenge for the league title.

We must turn draws into wins

Town midfielder wants backing from Forest and County fans

“We had the second least goals conceded throughout all competitions, so the defence is solid,” he said.

“We are creating more than enough chances and we just need to take them.

“We have Liam Hearn here next season and his goalscoring record speaks for itself. He is a massive presence.

Sims: squad strength is key to our hopes

Hearn backed to inspire team-mates

“He doesn’t say a lot in the dressing room, he keeps himself to himself and is a very humble guy.

“The experience he will bring to the team and his goalscoring, hopefully will be the difference this year.

“There’s also no reason why he can’t bring in young players he is coaching elsewhere, like at Mansfield.”

Hucknall started last season well following their promotion from the Central Midlands Football League before fading after Christmas.

Short, who joined the club last March, believes that was down to a lack of squad strength.

But he is confident his side can take the positives from last season and kick on up the table if two or three fresh faces are added.

“Up until Christmas last season we looked like one of the favourites, if you look at the results,” he added.

“We were top of the league at Christmas, looking at it up to that point, we got our spirits up and felt we could win the league.

“After Christmas it tailed off for a bit and we couldn’t quite put our finger on why at the time.

“Looking back, we didn’t have the strength in depth and a few knocks here and there or people being unavailable hit us collectively.

“The lads last season were the same team that won the CMFL the previous season, apart from one addition.

“We brought in a couple of players after Christmas to strengthen and results picked up.

“If we have a similar start this time out and have more quality to pick from and rotate, then there’s no reason why we can't have the run of results and go for the title.”

He was also quick to praise those behind the scenes for their work in guiding Town into the new era for the league.

He said: “Full credit to the volunteers, the manager, the second team manager and the committee, we are not paying any contracts and have no debts.

“We are in a fortunate position where we can start next season and kick on.

“Some teams that were strong this year may be not as strong next year, but those that were weaker last year may be better this season, such as Borrowash who picked up when they got a new manager in.

“It’s a catch 22 really, it just all depends on what situation teams are in when things get back to normal.”

“We have got the second team and hopefully we can bring a few of the younger lads through and build things up.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you