They lead the table in their new league having finished fourth in the UniBond last year.

The North Street club are managed by David Lloyd, who played for Clydebank, Alloa, Stirling, Raith and St Johnstone in his native Scotland before moving south. He subsequently turned out for Altrincham, Gainsborough and Frickley.

He was player-manager at Denaby, before joining Alfreton as assistant boss and then took over the manager's hot seat in July 2002.

Even Lloyd admits that he is surprised by his team's performances in the Conference North. But he hopes to keep the good form bubbling along.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted with the way things are going here. I thought we would possibly get off to a decent start but I didn't expect to be sitting four points clear at the top of the table after 12 games. It has been a big bonus and I hope we can continue it.

"I think we've got a good team spirit. We've managed to keep a lot of the lads from last season. I knew I had the basis of a decent squad and I brought in two or three mature players to strengthen the team.

"Mitch Ward has Premier League experience at Everton, whilst Peter Duffield and Ben Chapman have played professionally as well. They are good campaigners who have added a little bit extra to us.

"The Conference North is a brand new league and everyone is just feeling their way.

"I think the restructuring of non-League football was a great thing and we are enjoying playing the likes of Kettering, Worcester and Stafford in a new competition. We are all still finding out about each other.

"I feel the league is wide open. Anyone can beat anyone on their day. I just hope that we maintain our form and keep going strong. But it is going to be difficult because it is a tough division.

"It will take 15 games for things to settle down a wee bit and then you will start to see a pattern. It will be very competitive and very close until the end of the season. But I think Hinckley and Southport will be amongst the front runners."

Alfreton's fine form has meant that their home crowds are creeping up. They had an encouraging attendance of 446 for Friday's 4-0 victory over Runcorn Halton. And the fans will play a big part in the future development of the club.

Lloyd said: "I would like to see even more people coming along. I think the players deserve it because they have been playing some excellent football.

The spectators have been highly entertained by what they have seen. So I hope that people come back to watch us as the club have come a long way in a short space of time and we need a big fanbase to progress.

"We will have the opportunity to go up to the Conference if we win our league or get promotion through the play-offs. If we do make it, then it will be very tough with the amount of full-time teams in the Conference.

"I don't think we would turn full-time. Obviously we would need the financial backing from our chairman and different sponsors plus improved gates. I think we could hold our own. But that is a long, long way away.

"For us to get promoted would be an incredible achievement. But that is what we are aiming for and where we want to get to."

So can Alfreton maintain their lofty perch in the Conference North? The manager is quietly confident without getting too carried away.

"I think we have the players to make it a good season for us. In saying that, things can change very quickly in football. If we can uphold the standards we have set recently, then it will be hard for teams to beat us.

There is always the possibility of injuries and suspensions, so our squad will be tested. I feel I have a strong pool of players that can cope with those problems, but only time will tell."

Grassroots News

Weymouth player-manager Steve Claridge has said he won't quit despite achieving just three wins from twelve Conference South matches this season.

A consortium led by local businessman Mike Connett have entered into a contract with administrators Begbies Traynor to buy Northwich Victoria. The Conference club went into administration a fortnight ago due to financial problems.

Borrowash Victoria boss Bob Sykes has left the Northern Counties East League club by mutual consent after a disappointing start to the season.