THE NEW kids on the block are certainly making their mark as James Bicknell’s Campion are challenging for promotion in their first season on the non-league ladder.

Bicknell feels that the Manningham Mills-based club has come on leaps and bounds both on and off the pitch after a good first half of the campaign.

He said: “Yes, we've had a very good first half of the season. The lads are adapting to the division well.

“And off the field the committee are doing a fantastic job. We've had a lot of compliments from visiting teams, match officials and spectators.”

Campion are seventh in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Division One after a few chances to get back into the play-off places passed by recently.

When Campion have lost, none of the other teams close to them in the table have pulled away, but their rivals have tended to win games when the Heaton side have also won.

Last week when Hallam – the club immediately above them – had their game postponed due to a frozen pitch, Campion were held to a home draw by struggling Worsbrough Bridge Athletic, who they had beaten 5-0 away the previous week.

Bicknell said: “It’s frustrating because in the games we've dropped points, they are the ones on paper that we should be winning.

"It just shows that there are no easy games in this league, but overall I think we are doing very well in our first season.

“We would love to finish in the play-offs but that would exceed our expectations.”

At the beginning of the campaign, the manager felt his players would be able to hold their own. But with a small squad, he knew injuries and suspensions would be a concern as the season went on, especially as he knew he wouldn’t be able to draft many new players in.

“It's been very difficult as we've had a lot of injuries and suspensions all at the same time,” added Bicknell.

“But we've used some of our under-21 players and they have done well for us. They stepped up when asked and they have definitely held their own.”