Elsecar's derbies with Barnsley Woolley Miners next year will be ‘the biggest games in the Yorkshire Leagues’ after the Shaw Laners were joined by their newly-promoted neighbours.
Elsecar, who have won their last four league games and 11 of their last 12, chased 233 to beat local rivals Wath by five wickets and secure the second of two promotion places into the ECB Yorkshire Premier South. Lesroy Weekes, the veteran West Indian, took over as captain mid-season after previous skipper Ainsley Swallow left the club.
Weekes said: “It’s a great achievement. Elsecar should have been in the Yorkshire Premier South when it started three years ago but they haven’t got promoted until now. The team has been on great form for the second half of the season. Everyone involved throughout the year deserves credit including the previous captain Ainsley.”
Barnsley have been the only club from the town in the top flight for many decades but will now be joined by Elsecar. Weekes said: “Barnsley is a good club and I have a lot of good friends there. They have had a good season but I don’t see why we can’t compete with them next year.
“Elsecar v Barnsley will be the biggest games in the Yorkshire Leagues next season. There will be big attendances and a lot of bragging rights for a local derby. It’s exciting. Both Elsecar and Barnsley rely on homegrown talent because they don’t have the budget of clubs like Wakefield Thornes.”
Weekes believes Elsecar will need some reinforcements for next season. He said: “The recruitment process starts now to bring in players of the right quality and character to help the club make a real impact in the top flight next season.”
Elsecar now take on Sprotbrough in the Whitworth Cup final on Sunday. Weekes said: “It would be great to get a trophy to add to the promotion and that would finish off a very successful season.”
