Dan Illingworth joined the Sils in January 2017 initially on a dual registration with Brighouse Town. The move may have raised a few eyebrows at the time, but it signified the intent of both parties and Dan’s arrival certainly felt like a milestone. His professionalism and attitude helped raise standards across the board. Three years, over 100 appearances, a league title and various personal accolades later, the bond between player and club remains as strong as ever, here’s what he had to say on his fellow teammates……

Best mate – ICE bath 

Joker – Chris Wademan, he is always up to mischief that lad!

Teachers Pet – Clive Murgatroyd , loves a warm-up – brilliant at 2 good quality squats and setting up a bleep test prior to kick off. However, he doesn’t know the difference between opening and closing the gate (groin).

Hardest Worker – Joe Mitchell and Arley Barnes, unbelievable love child these lads are like Non-league Kante’s!

Most skilful – Khurram Shazad, the megnuts genius! Absolute game-changer when he pulls the strings.

Best dancer – Josh McKiernon, he loves a bit of gun fingers when Trilla drops.

Future Gaffer – Mark Everingham, calm, collected and professional attitude in everything he does. Top bloke!

Toughest – Myles Foley aka Incredible Hulk. Liam Hudson talks a good game but he couldn’t fight his way out of a wet paper bag.

Worst dress sense – Laurence Sorhaindo, NASA hat say no more!!!

Jake Taylor joined the Cobbydalers on loan from Halifax Town in September 2019 alongside full back Jay Benn. The popular Australian made a great start to life at Sils by notching a brace on his debut v Garforth in a 7-1 victory. Jake has gone on to make 25 appearances scoring some valuable and memorable goals, but it’s his professionalism, attitude and consistent performances that have made him a firm favourite amongst the players and supporters. Here’s what he had to say on his fellow players….

Best mate – I’d have to say Khurram Shazad, baller, really nice guy.

Joker – Social Media man, Byron Whalley, some of the stories I’ve heard are unbelievable!

Teachers pet – Dan Illingworth is always having a word with the gaffer.

Hardest worker – I think everyone in the team works really hard in the games especially in recent weeks on the defensive side getting clean sheets.

Most skilful – Ginner (Ben Higginson) is absolutely mesmerising when he’s on the ball.

Best dancer – To be honest I haven’t seen anyone dance but I’m sure Josh Mckiernon is good.

Future gaffer – Dan Illingworth or Josh Kaine , both leaders on the pitch.

Toughest – Liam Hudson and Craig Bentham fly into challenges, smash players and haven’t seen them get injured from it once.

Worst dress sense – Dan Illingworth comes in some very formal clothing, not my style .

 

After a long pursuit, Myles Foley joined the club in early January and it hasn’t been hard to see why the manager was delighted to finally land his long term target. Myles has been a huge positive on and off the pitch with his assured performances and positive attitude. Myles has a wealth of experience for such a young age, featuring at this level and above for Albion Sports, Ossett United and Campion. We’re all looking forward to seeing him a Silsden shirt again (whenever that might be!). He had his say on his fellow players in our Teammates series…..

Best Mate: Josh Mckiernon – We’ve been playing football together for around 5 years now – Guiseley, Albion Sports and now Silsden AFC.

Joker: I haven’t stopped laughing since the arrival of media man Byron Whalley. The stories he tells us on the way to away games are hilarious, he’s a good lad to have around the changing room and has good banter with the lads.

Teacher’s Pet: Connor Thompson – I’ve known Connor for a few years now and he’s always been the teacher’s pet at any club we’ve both been at. He would do anything to impress the Gaffer, his attitude is spot on both on and off the pitch.

Hardest Worker: Arley Barnes – He never stops running, playing next to him makes life a lot easier, he always wants the ball, tracks back, wins tackles and never gives up. He’s very important for the team.

Most Skilful: Khurram Shazad – I dread playing against him in training, his feet are unbelievable, I haven’t seen a better dribbler.

Best Dancer: Dan Illingworth – We always see him dancing before games, he loves a bit of bassline.

Future Gaffer: Josh Kaine – captain of the club and a good leader on the pitch, always stays calm and talks his fellow players through games, he would make a good manager.

Toughest: Me – It has to be, I’m one of the youngest but I’d say I was definitely the hardest. Josh Mckiernon thinks he’d have me but he needs to get in the gym a bit more to stand any chance.

Worst Dress Sense: Connor Thompson – It was a tough one but I have to go with Connor, I don’t think I’ve seen him out of his Lacoste tracksuit he bought about 5 years ago.

Myles is kindly sponsored by NRL Projects.

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Over the years Josh Kaine has been a main stay, clocking up over 170 appearances and wearing the captain’s armband for the vast majority. His solitary goal for the club was a sublime volley away at Eccleshall in early 2017. During his time Josh has seen a lot in terms of development of the club on and off the pitch and his loyalty and consistent performances have earned him a cult hero status at Silsden AFC. Captain. Leader. Sils Legend. Here’s what he had to say on his fellow players…..

Best Mate: Joe Mitchell – I’ve known him since our Bradford Boys/Bradford City days. Car chases, head butts and plenty of laughs along the way!

Joker: Chris Wademan – Got to be aware at all times especially in training. Running backwards minding your own business…. it’s too late!

Teacher’s Pet: Dan Illingworth – It’s got to be him! But we all love it. Great guy.

Hardest Worker: Arley ‘Farah’ Barnes – Fitness freak. He would run to all away games if Danny would let him.

Most Skilful: Khurram Shazad – He’s an absolute wizard, tie your legs shut if you don’t want to look stupid.

Best Dancer: Arley Barnes – He has some slick moves to be fair.

Future Gaffer: Ben Higginson – “Don’t tell me how to play football” is used in every team talk.

Toughest: Liam ‘Moneybags’ Hudson – With his boxing career.

Worst Dress Sense: Jake Taylor – Comes out dressed like Steve Irwin every night out.

It’s been a mixed season for Josh Mckiernon so far, showing some strong early season form including a significant contribution on the first day of the season in a gutsy 2-1 win away at Penistone Church . A persistant knee injury then forced him on to the side lines for over three months. Josh reminded everyone of his abilities with a brilliant cameo in our 1-0 victory over Handsworth earlier this month. Here’s what he has to say on his fellow players…….

Best Mate: Myles Foley – Myles has been my best mate for years in and out of football. We’ve always been at the same club; Guiseley, Albion Sports and now Silsden AFC.

Joker: Chris Wademan – He’s always making jokes, annoying people and making people laugh. He doesn’t shut up!

Teacher’s Pet: Dan Illingworth – He’s always trying to impress and do stuff for Danny, taking charge of warm ups, gym sessions etc. He even offers yoga sessions to the players before training and brings stuff like bananas and juice on game days.

Hardest Worker: Connor Thompson – Connor was close to getting teacher’s pet, whenever you want to find Connor just go to Danny and you’ll find him there following him around but at the same time he works hard on and off the pitch.

Most Skilful: Khurram Shazad – His feet are just too quick and he loves a ball roll too! Can beat anyone on his day.

Best Dancer: Ben Higginson – Ginner has told me about his younger days and his partying. I reckon he can bust a few moves, we’ll be able to see at the end of season do if we ever get one!

Future Gaffer: Mark Everingham – He’s always very focussed and serious when it comes to football. He motivates and helps people out, he’s very professional which would help make him a good manager in future.

Toughest: Me – I just can’t see anyone beating me. I reckon a few lads would fancy their chances for this, especially Liam Hudson and Myles Foley but they’ve got no chance.

Worst Dress Sense: Byron Whalley – This was a tough one but it’s got to be our media man Byron, shocking clobber.

The club have appointed Jacob Mistry as a coach for the U23 team who compete in the West Riding County FA Development League.

Jacob, 22, is currently studying for a Sports Coaching Degree at Liverpool University and has experience of coaching the men’s team at Liverpool Uni, and more recently enjoying success with Liverpool John Moore’s Women’s team sealing an unbeaten BUCS League and BUCS Northern Conference Cup double.

On his return from University in April, Jacob will take up a leading role working alongside current coach Russell Waite.

First Team Manager Danny Forrest is delighted at the appointment of Jacob and had this to say;

“We have taken our time to get the right person in to enhance and support what we already have in place for the U23 set up.

Jacob is a young and hungry coach and brings plenty of different qualities which will help our young players moving forward. He has a strong work ethic, is thorough and organised in his work and enjoys the tactical side of the game. Most of all he enjoys developing players and I know the group we have now will really benefit and blossom through his work.

It’s great to have like minded people on board and I’m looking forward to working closely with Jacob as part of a tight knit group of staff. After spending time meeting and speaking to Jacob it’s clear we share the same values and same vision for the club. I’m proud that we, as a club, put faith in young people on and off the pitch and the future certainly looks bright.”

Jacob was introduced to the squad last week, and you can see his first interview below.

Any young players wanting to be part of our U23 set up can contact silsdenafc@gmail.com – please include information on your previous playing experience.

The Toolstation Northern Counties East F. L. Premier Division 2019-2020

Saturday 29^th February 2020

BRIDLINGTON TOWN FC 2 v 2 SILSDEN AFC                

McFadyen 65(pen) Waudby 86.                  Taylor 34(pen) Sorhaindo 80.

Att. 200

     KAINE SUPREME AS COBBYDLERS HOLD THE SEASIDERS

         Following Wednesday’s victory at League leaders Staveley, the Cobbydalers travelled to fourth placed Bridlington. This was one of only three games in the NECFL Premier Division due to the weather. The pitch was fine and many of the Cobbydalers fans had travelled to the Costa del Yorkshire for the game.

         The Seasiders played with a strong wind behind them in the first half but whether this was an advantage or not was questionable as several through balls and goal efforts caught on the wind.

         Silsden were the first to create an opportunity, Myles Foley driving the ball up the right where Jake Taylor headed for goal but his shot was just off target. James Hitchcock, the Seasiders keeper, denied Taylor another chance, running out of his area to clear a through ball.

         Eventually Bridlington settled, Tom Waudby having one effort blocked by Josh Kaine for a corner before heading over a cross from the left. Brid continued to push forwards and it was Kaine twice more who blocked low shots.

         The best chance came on seventeen minutes when Billy Logan headed goalwards but only into the safe hands of Ben Higginson. Silsden were struggling to get anywhere near the slick interplay seen at Staveley and, had Lewis Dennison got any contact on a superb cross from Lewis Taylor, they would have opened their account midway through the half.

         Minutes later Myles Foley blocked a shot from Tom Waudby. Silsden did create a half chance, Kaine driving the ball through the home defence for Sorhaindo to run onto. Once again Hitchcock won the chase to launch the ball up the field where Joe Mitchell broke up an attack down the right.

         Finally, ten minutes before the break, Khurram Shazad found enough space to slip the ball through into the penalty area where Sorhaindo was tripped by the Brid keeper. TAYLOR took the spot kick which hit the back of the net despite Hitchcock getting a hand on it.

         If the Cobbydalers as a unit were struggling to create many openings the skipper was superb. In a five minute spell Kaine twice blocked shots from Billy Logan at the expense of two corners and one effort from McFadyen. Waudby broke through from a throw in on the right before the skipper intervened again!

         The resulting corner was swung over but Illingworth headed clear. A superb through ball put McFadyen clear but he shot wide. The half time whistle went with the Cobbydalers a goal up! The home side had been very profligate, to say the least.

         The wind eased slightly in the second half and Silsden hoped to be able to gain more control but the game was quite scrappy. Barnes blocked a shot from Logan before Sorhaindo was fouled at the other end. The free-kick was wasted. Illingworth was on hand to deny the home-side a deserved equaliser before Sorhaindo, easily the Cobbydalers best outlet, was halted in the act of shooting. Mitchell’s low shot was saved and Foley’s shot, from the edge of the penalty area was just wide.

         Finally the equaliser came. Again it seemed the slightest of touches which brought the whistle but the home support saw the spot kick as justified. McFADYEN levelled the scores.

         With the efforts against the league leaders on Wednesday, a long journey home and a late night, followed by a similar journey on the Saturday morning, fatigue crept in on the Cobbydalers. Mitchell blocked a shot from McFadyen and Foley was fortunate in slicing another shot wide. Chris Jenkinson even tried an overhead kick which cleared the bar.

         Thankfully SORHAINDO still had the energy to latch onto a long ball to burst past Benn Lewis to strike home off the inside of the far post. With five minutes to go Illingworth conceded a free kick on the edge of the box. WAUDBY hit a screamer into the top corner.

         A draw looked on the cards but with the last kick of the game Sorhaindo hit a looping volley over the Brid keeper………………..it hit the crossbar!

         The Cobbydalers’ fans had enjoyed their day out at the seaside, many of whom had stayed on overnight, maybe to have a dip in the sea on Sunday morning!

         Next Saturday the Cobbydalers entertain Goole FC before travelling to Handsworth on Tuesday 10^th March.

BRIDLINGTON TOWN FC. Hitchcock, Dennison, Lewis(Waudby 57), Oliver, Jenkinson, Papprill, Taylor, Wauby, Logan, McFadyen. Adams(Broadley 56). Subs not used. Bulless, Hutchinson.

SILSDEN AFC. Higginson, Foley, Thompson, Kaine, Illingworth, Liam Hudson(Britton 88), Barnes, Mitchell, Shazad(Everingham 63), Sorhaindo Taylor (Wademan 74). Subs not used. Fox, McKiernon.

Referee. Mr. N. Howlett.   Assistants. Mr. T. Maher and Mr. M. Collins

 

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The Toolstation Northern Counties East F. L. Premier Division 2019-2020

Wednesday, 26^th February 2020

STAVELEY MWFC 1 v 3 SILSDEN AFC 

Burke 68                  Shazad 28, 74, Sorhaindo 32.

Att. 132.                                 

COBBYDALERS STUN THE LEAGUE LEADERS

          The Cobbydalers travelled to table-topping Staveley on Wednesday with an unchanged side, following the last (pre-flooding) game, a draw at Yorkshire Amateurs. The “Trojans” lost their last game at Barton one-nil. They still top the table but with teams below them having games in hand, the title is still up for grabs.

          The Trojans were on the attack from the kick-off with leading-scorer Michael Burke crossing from the right. Josh Kaine managed to clear for a corner which was headed out by Dan Illingworth. The initial pressure was intense, Connor Thompson clearing up Staveley’s next sortie forwards.

          Silsden broke out of defence after five minutes but Myles Wright, in the Trojans’ goal, managed to save Jake Taylor’s shot, after the winger had cut across the Staveley penalty area. Illingworth was then forced to concede a corner which was cleared. The Trojans were forcing the play with long balls up the flanks but the Cobbydalers were tight at the back.

          In contrast Silsden were trying to move the ball swiftly on the floor. A foul on Lawrence Sorhaindo led to a free kick. Myles Wright managed to parry Khurram Shazad’s effort for a corner.  Back came Staveley, Doolan Robson’s pace creating space for him to get in a shot which was cleared, as was Burke’s follow-up.

          Gradually the Cobbydalers began to take some control with the forwards slick control and short passing creating chances. Sorhaindo and Taylor both had headers cleared before the two combined to release Shazad. Unfortunately his shot was wide. After Thomson had broken up another attack, Taylor set up Shazad again. He cut inside his marker but his effort was wide of the far post.

Again Burke was the main threat at the other end, flicking a cross just over the bar. Shazad and Taylor combined to open the path for Hudson, who burst through the defence but left the angle too tight to beat the keeper.

          Kaine was injured after Burke had set up another chance but the skipper recovered, encapsulating Silsden’s resolve, to deny both Robson and Froggatt. It looked certain that the latter would open the scoring but there was Mitchell, on the goal line, to block the shot.

          With the defence holding the league leaders at bay, Silsden gained in confidence. Sorhaindo hit a left-footer from twenty-five yards out which Wright parried, before Mitchell, on the half-way line, spotted the Trojan’s keeper off his line and hit a speculative volley, which was narrowly wide.

          The home crowd began became uneasy, urging their players to be more accurate but it was the Cobbydalers who took the lead with a superb goal. SHAZAD ran onto the defence-splitting pass from Sorhaindo.  Although tracked by a defender, he cut across the goal, dragged the ball back, cut inside and slid the ball home.

          Four minutes later the Cobbydalers made it two. Taylor and Shazad combined to open up the defence again and SORHAINDO capitalised on some confusion between Staveley’s goalkeeper and defenders to roll the ball in to an empty net. The Cobbydalers managed to withstand an onslaught from the Trojans, clearing three efforts before Shazad had a shot blocked at the other end and Luke Foley went close after a strong run from the back. Phew!

          With the wind in their favour, Staveley put pressure on the Cobbydalers defence from the restart. Kaine eventually cleared upfield where Taylor’s pace was posing a threat. Illingworth conceded a corner and Adam Lund rose above everyone else, but his header was wide.

          The Cobbydalers’ exchanges with the Trojan were like heavy-weights slugging it out, albeit with more finesse. Once again Mitchell, as the last line of defence, cleared up before Froggatt’s effort was comfortably saved by Higginson. Wright did just as well at the other end, saving Barnes’s shot. Minutes later he was at full stretch to parry Barnes’s screamer.

          Chances came at both ends. Kaine blocked one effort and Wright denied Taylor in a one-on-one situation.  On sixty-eight minutes BURKE pulled one back from a narrow angle. A minute later Burke fired over the bar as the pressure intensified.

          Superb defending from Connor denied an equaliser before Silsden broke away. Encapsulating all that was good, Taylor and Sorhaindo broke forwards to set up SHAZAD, to make it three. Burke did his best to rally the Trojans but the Cobbydalers were not to be denied.

          Kaine and Illingworth were superb at the back. Mitchell, the midfield dynamo, was outstanding and the touch, pace and inter-action of the front three was a joy to watch.  But in reality this was a fantastic team effort.

          On Saturday, Silsden travel to fourth-place Bridlington Town.

STAVELEY M. W.  Wright, Parkin, Dudley (Jones 61), Finlaw (Mundy 61), Emery, Lund, Lindley (Kay 86), Doolan,  Frogatt, Burke, Worral.        Subs. not used. Pugh, Claxton.

SILSDEN AFC. Higginson, Foley, Thompson, Kaine, Illingworth, Liam Hudson, Barnes, Mitchell, Sorhaindo (Wademan 82), Taylor (Britton 82). Subs not used. Everingham, Mckiernon, Fox.           

Referee. Mr. D. Constable.                                 Assistants.  Mr. D. Chambers and  Mr. M. Atherton.