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. 

MATCH PREVIEW: The Cobbydalers travel to Staveley

The Cobbydalers are back in action this Wednesday evening as we take a trip
across to Derbyshire, to face Staveley Miners Welfare FC.

The Sils will be hoping to continue the fine form that they put together before the
weather conditions halted their progress. Here is everything you need to know ahead of
the encounter between the two sides.

LEAGUE POSITION AND FORM

The Cobbydalers currently sit 13th in the league table and have picked up 29 points (
W8 D5 L11)from their 24 games played. Staveley Miners Welfare FC currently sit at the
top of the NCEL Premier Division having picked up 52 points(W16 D4 L3) from their 23
games played, they also have a 3 point cushion to 2nd placed Penistone Church and
also 3 games in hand on them.
The home side come into this Wednesday’s encounter on the back of a 1-0 defeat at the
hands of 11th placed Barton Town, the goal came in the 37th minute through Matthew
Plummer and Staveley were unable to turn the game around. The Cobbydalers haven’t
tasted any action since their 1-1 draw against Yorkshire Amateurs which was almost 3
weeks ago, no doubt Manager Danny Forrest will be hoping for a similar performance
from his men, and travel back to West Yorkshire with all 3 points.
Staveley currently have the best defensive record in the league, in their 23 games
played they have conceded only 19 goals, on average they concede 0.83 goals per
game,where as the Cobbydalers have conceded 48 goals in their 24 games played and
on average concede 2.00 goals per game. Although the Sils are the second inform side
in the league after going 3 games unbeaten before the break in matches, to ensure they
come away from Derbyshire with something they will need to tighten up and be solid at
the back.

ONE TO WATCH

This week’s one to watch player for the opponents is Michael Burke. The Staveley
MWFC striker has notched 16 goals in 14 league and is currently 5th in the top scorers
chart, the striker clearly knows where the goal is and with the Sils only keeping 2 clean
sheets all season in the league, the inform striker may fancy his chances here when
they come to him.

THE MANAGER’S THOUGHTS

Here are Danny Forrest’s thoughts ahead of the tie against the league leaders.
“We’re travelling to the league leaders who are having a brilliant season. They’ve only
lost three games all season so we know well be up against it.

We’ve had some decent results against some of the top sides this season so we’ve
just got to go there with belief because I’m confident we have the ability to cause them
problems.”

TEAM NEWS

As far as team news is concerned, Josh Brown may have to miss out through injury.
The Sils will be hoping to have Chris Wademan back fit after a minor knee problem.
Goalkeeper Alfie Darke is in the later stages of his rehab and he will hopefully return to
the fold in a few weeks. Danny Riley is out with a shoulder injury and Matty Moses is
still ruled out after a serious knee injury earlier in the season.

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: THE COBBYDALERS VS AFC MANSFIELD 

The Cobbydalers are back in league action this Saturday at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium as we play hosts to AFC Mansfield. 

Danny Forrest’s men will be looking to kick on from their recent run of form, which has seen them pick up 7 points from their last 3 games which included two home wins and a “well deserved” point away from home against high flying Yorkshire Amateurs and keep moving up the league table. 

LEAGUE POSITION AND FORM 

The Cobbydalers currently sit 13th in the league table and have picked up 29 points ( W8 D5 L11)from their 24 games played. The Visitors AFC Mansfield currently sit Two places below the Sils in 15th place and have picked up 24 points in their 23 games played and a win here would mean they gain ground on the Cobbydalers, they also sit One point outside of the bottom Three and have a game in hand on 18th placed Bottesford Town. 

Last time out the Cobbydalers drew 1-1 away from home to high flying Yorkshire Amateurs after a late Chris Wademan equaliser,meant that both sides came away with a point. AFC Mansfield picked up a 2-0 home win against bottom of the table Athersley Recreation. On paper the tie seems to be a very closely contested game, with both teams trying to pick up the eagerly anticipated three points and gain ground on the teams below them and move up the league table. 

ONE TO WATCH

AFC Mansfield’s talismanic striker Ross Duggan is this week’s one to watch player for the opponents. The 25 year old striker has been in fine form this season for AFC Mansfield,contributing 19 goals in 19 league appearances.He has also scored 33 goals in all competitions and currently sits as the leading goalscorer in the league. Duggan clearly knows where the goal is and the Sils back line will have to be in fine form to stop him getting a sniff of the goal. If the Cobbydalers can keep him quiet they may well fancy themselves to pick up three points. 

LAST TIME OUT

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season the points were shared in a 2-2 draw. AFC Mansfield went 2-0 up courtesy of goals from Ross Duggan just before half-time and Brandon Webster just 2 minutes after the restart.The Cobbydalers struck back 10 minutes later through Laurence Sorhaindo and then 4 minutes from time Mark Everingham made sure that the points were shared and the Sils went back to West Yorkshire with a point. 

THE MANAGERS THOUGHTS 

When asked about the performance last time out against high flying Yorkshire Amateurs,manager Danny Forrest said:” we certainly deserved something from the game and were well worthy of a point” 

“I’m really happy because we were a bit out of confidence (after three defeats in a row). It has been an up and down season for us but now we’ve got some strong results and now it’s all about consistency” 

After the clash with Yorkshire Amateurs,the Cobbydalers have had a two week gap leading up to this weekend’s tie against AFC Mansfield after they had a free weekend, 

Danny Forrest said “ obviously last weekend was frustrating of course. Any manager or group of players on a good run would tell you that. The lads trained twice last week and did really well, but obviously they were preparing for a game a week on Saturday.” 

“It would have been nice to put what we’d done into practice at the weekend to keep up that momentum, but there is nothing we can do about it, hopefully we can put in a performance worthy of a result”. 

When asked about what the opposition may bring, it is with no doubt that the Sils will be doing everything they can to stop AFC Mansfield striker Ross Duggan, the striker has netted 19 goals in 19 league appearances, he also netted in the 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture earlier in the season,and Danny Forrest said: “Ross was good at their place. His physicality makes him a handful but he also has plenty of ability especially in front of goal.” 

“He likes to drop a shoulder to give himself half a yard. He’s not straightforward to face.”

TEAM NEWS 

As far as team news is concerned, Josh Brown may have to miss out through injury. The Sils will be hoping to have Chris Wademan back fit after his late equaliser against Yorkshire Amateurs after a minor knee problem. Goalkeeper Alfie Darke is in the later stages of his rehab and he will hopefully return to the fold in a few weeks. Danny Riley is out with a shoulder injury and Matty Moses is still ruled out after a serious knee injury earlier in the season. 

The club can announce that our home game against AFC Mansfield this Saturday 22nd February will be a “Pay What You Like” event, with proceeds being donated to fundraising efforts for the family of former Silsden player Tom Marshall, who tragically lost his life late last year.

Tom was immensely popular within the local football community, and it’s hoped that this will ensure we can raise as much as possible, with the funds intended for Tom’s son, Bowie Marshall.

This gesture follows the incredible efforts of another former Silsden man, Joe Gaughan, who has so far raised over £7,000 by running 10k every day for 47 days. All proceeds from the game will support this initiative and be donated to Joe’s fundraising efforts.

You can donate by following this link –

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/joe-gaughan

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: THE COBBYDALERS VS NOSTELL MINERS WFC

We take a break from league action tomorrow evening as we play hosts to NCEL
Division One outfit Nostell Miners WFC at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium.
The Cobbydalers picked up what was a “well earned point” said Manager Danny Forrest
on Saturday, against high flying Yorkshire Amateurs in the league and will hope his side
can can put in another spirited performance on Tuesday night and progress to the 5th
round of the NCEL League Cup by defeating the NCEL Division One outfit.

The Cobbydalers got to this stage of the competition by winning 3-2 away from home
against a very good Bridlington town side, with the goals coming from Matthias Britton,
Khurram Shazad and the weekends goalscorer Chris Wademan.

As for the visitors, Nostell were also 3-2 winners in the 3rd round and beat Harrogate
Railway Athletic after a late winner and will be hoping to try progress to the next round,
it is set up to be a very good game with both sides hoping to progress to the Quarter Finals.

LEAGUE POSITION AND FORM

After a big point picked up on the road against Yorkshire Amateurs on Saturday, the Sils
currently sit 13th in the NCEL Premier Division, the Sils have also picked up 7 points
from 9 in the last 3 games and will come into the game feeling confident after the good
run they are currently on, they have also won their last 2 home games. As for the
visitors, Nostell are currently 11th in the NCEL Division One and last time out they drew
1-1 at home to Dronfield Town. Nostell come into the game off the back of 2 draws and
and a defeat from their 3 previous league outings, and a break from league action could
pave the way for them to try get back to winning ways, with the visit to the Cobbydale
Construction Stadium, and a place in the NCEL League Cup Quarter Final at stake.

THE MANAGERS THOUGHTS

When asked about the result at the weekend and after picking up some decent results
as of late, Manager Danny Forrest said “From our point of view it’s a case of more of the
same, the attitude has been brilliant and we’ve seen a real togetherness which has
earned us some decent results”

On the thought of having a cup run, Manager Danny Forrest also said “we’d love a
good cup run just as much as any other team, so we’ll be doing all we can to try and
progress to the next round.”

When asked about the availability of players available for selection, Manager Danny
Forrest said “unfortunately we’re missing Myles Foley and Connor Thompson as they
are cup tied, but it just opens up a chance for somebody else to stake a claim and give
the staff some selection headaches.”

Manager Danny Forrest also emphasised on the crowds his team have been pulling in
this season and said, “the crowds have been decent all season and we hope it’s the
same on Tuesday night, as it’s really appreciated by all the players and staff when the
local community is behind the team.”

Kick off is at 7.45PM, Danny and the rest of the players and staff
would really appreciate the support, entry prices are as follows:

£6 Adults
£3 Concessions

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

Saturday Feb 8^th 2020.

YORKSHIRE AMATEUR 1 v 1 SILSDEN AFC

  Fogarty 66.                  Wademan 83.   Att. 74.

HIGGINSON SUPREME IN THRILLING ENCOUNTER

          The Cobbydalers travelled to the Southerns  Stadium, on Saturday, for their return fixture against The Ammers, who stood third in the table at the start of play. Silsden had lost the home game to the Ammers in September five-nil. In fact the Ammers away record is the best in the league, winning ten and drawing one of their eleven games. At home their record is won three, drawn four and lost four!

          The Ammers were first on the attack putting Silsden under pressure but it was the Cobbydalers who went closest to opening their account. It was a superb counter attack. Left back Connor Thomson  broke up the left and exchanged passes with Lawrence Sorhaindo before the ball was slid to Arley Barnes. Barnes hit an excellent volley but it was just wide of the far post.

          The Cobbydalers thought they had taken the lead on ten minutes when Liam Hudson set up Dan Illingworth who headed home. However the whistle went for an infringement. A minute later Sorhaindo headed on to Jake Taylor, who saw his powerful shot well saved by Edward Wilcznski.

          The Ammers broke swiftly and Silsden were fortunate that Leon Henry’s header bounced onto the cross bar. Silsden responded with another attack but the Ammers countered immediately, Roy Fogarty’s header clearing the crossbar.

          Josh Kaine was then called into the action making a superb block on Aiden Savoury’s thunderbolt. The skipper was injured but recovered quickly to clear Priestley’s dangerous cross, with Savoury poised to open the scoring.

          At the other end, Sorhaindo headed Illingworth’s throw-in wide but he was always a threat, just failing to net when Shazad Khurram, after a deceiving dip of the shoulder had caused panic, set him up. With ten minutes of the half left, Thomson won the ball near the Silsden by-line before bursting up the left. He was upended but the fee-kick was cleared.           Both sides had chances in the dying minutes, Higginson saving at Savoury’s feet after a corner had been swung in and then Sorhaindo burst through at the other end before shooting just wide of the far post.

          If the first half hadn’t been pulsating enough,  the second started with the home side battering the Silsden goal as if storm “Ciara” had arrived twelve hours early! Kane was booked for a late challenge as the Ammers bombarded the Silsden goal. Illingworth blocked close range efforts from Savoury and Blackie before Higginson, somehow, managed to get a strong hand on Stephen Close range effort. Phew!

          Silsden gradually settled, counter attacking down the flank, but the home side were in the ascendancy. Fogarty shot over before Kaine broke up another attack. Silsden withstood the pressure and countered but both Sorhaindo, after a thirty yard break, and Miles Foley saw their efforts comfortably saved and Taylor shot wide after a fine run from Barnes.

          The pressure eventually told when a corner was swung in. Dempsey’s scissors kick rattled the bar and FOGGARTY volleyed home from close range. Silsden almost levelled immediately after a swift attack led to a corner. Instead of swinging it into the box, Khurram laid it back to Connor Thompson but the full back’s shot cleared the bar.

          Luke Hudson then cleared up after Thomson had been beaten before a curling free-kick from Khurram shaved the outside of the Ammers post. Higginson was then in the action again tipping Fogarty’s shot over the bar and then saving a header from Savoury at the near post.

          Chris WADEMAN, who had come on for Taylor, soon latched onto a through ball outpacing two defenders before netting the equaliser seventeen minutes from time. He was mauled to the floor by his team-mates. Silsden still had work to do to deny the home side but Wademan, after winning a corner, almost scored a second after Wilcznski had dropped Illingworth’s header. Unfortunately his effort was cleared off the goal line.

          Two more saves by Higginson made sure that the points were shared. It had been a pulsating game and further evidence that the Cobbydalers are gelling together well.

          Tuesdays’ game, at home to Nostell Miners Welfare looks in doubt,  leaving the Cobbydalers without a game until Feb 22^nd when they entertain AFC Mansfield. This match will be a “Pay-What- You-Want” game, the profits going to charity in honour of the late Tom Marshall.

YORKSHIRE AMATEUR.  Wilcznski,  Fishley (Smith 63), Henry, Daley, Dempsey, Field, Crawford, Blakey (Moke 63), Savoury, Fogarty (Sykes 77), Priestley. Sub not used. Brice.

SILSDEN AFC. Higginson, Foley, Thomson, Kaine, Illingworth, Liam Hudson, Barnes, Mitchell, Sorhaindo, Shazad (Luke Hudson 82), Taylor (Wademan 70). Subs not used. McKiernon, Everingham, Britton.

Referee. Mr. M. Coles.  Assistants. Mr A. Williams and Mr. E. Shiers.

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

Saturday, 1^st February. 2020.

       SILSDEN AFC 2 v 0 HANDSWORTH FC.

Sorhaindo 48, Taylor 87.                   Att.124

COBBYDALERS DEFY THE WIND TO SNATCH THREE POINTS

          For the third time in a week the Cobbydalers’ home game was played in a gale. Fortunately the home side managed it well despite not scoring with the wind in their “favour”? Indeed their second half performance showed how it was easier to play against the elements.

          The wind and rain in the first half saw the home side on the attack from the start with young Connor Thompson breaking down the left and crossing into the Ambers’ box in the third minute. The ball was cleared for a corner which caught on the wind, a fate which saw the end of the next two attacks.

          Handsworth’s first sortie forwards almost led to a goal, mainly due to a back pass which Ben Higginson just cleared as Luke Rawson was breaking forwards. Harry Mitchell, the Ambers’ play maker, was driving his team forwards. Marley Grant broke up the left and crossed to Rawson who fired into the side netting.

          Lawrence Sorhaindo then set Matthias Britton free down the left but the “lack of a left foot” forced the wide man to cut back and the chance was lost. Thomson then broke down the right. His cross was cleared for a corner. It was headed out to Lawrence Sorhaindo, on the left, but his curling shot lacked enough pace to beat Ben Townsend in the Handsworth goal.

          On seventeen minutes Khurram Shazad hit a rising drive which Townsend did well to tip over, before Shazad slid the ball through to Britton, who fired over the bar. Liam Hudson was then off target after more good work from Shazad before Arley Barnes, at full stretch, just failed to reach Sorhaindo’s through ball.

          Hudson was slow to react to a break from the Ambers but Kaine came to the rescue on two occasions to snuff out the danger midway through the half. Sorhaindo’s powerful run down the left ended with a superb cross into the Handsworth box but there was no support from his teammates.

          With ten minutes of the half left, Silsden pushed harder. Barnes set up Hudson who couldn’t get enough power on his shot. Handsworth were dominating possession with Harry Mitchell in the thick of it but, in the final minutes, Josh Dacre blocked a shot from Shazad. Illingworth headed over and Townsend denied both Barnes and Shazad with fine saves to ensure that his team had kept a clean sheet.

          The visitors might have expected to dominate the second half but the Cobbydalers took control with a high back line and some slick passing and possession. Foley went on a run to the by-line in the opening minutes. He crossed to Barnes who shot low. The wind just took it off target but Luke Hudson, on for Britton, just failed to get a touch on it. However, a minute later, Silsden took the lead with SORHAINDO slipping the ball past Townsend after a powerful run.

          Handsworth failed to master Silsden’s high defensive line with several balls reaching the Silsden keeper on the wind or going out of play. Sorhaindo had another chance in the visitor’s goal area but his shot was weak before Shazad went close and Joe Mitchell’s effort was well saved. Indeed, Silsden began to create more chances. A powerful fifty-yard run by Shazad was halted on the edge of the Handsworth box before Barnes released Mitchell, whose shot cleared the bar.

          At the other end Liam Hudson broke up a dangerous attack whilst Kaine ended a slick move involving five Handsworth players. But it was the Cobbydalers who looked more dangerous. Three minutes after coming on as a substitute, Jake Taylor outpaced the Ambers’ defence only to shot over the bar…like Mitchell’s effort, getting caught on the wind.

          Silsden might have rued not netting a second but Anthony Mackie’s free-kick, on the edge of the penalty area sailed over the bar and Higginson made a fine save to deny Harry Mitchell. The Cobbydalers should have made it two when Taylor and Shazad broke clear to the edge of the area. With only the keeper to beat they wasted the golden opportunity.

          With ten minutes left Danny Riley came on for Shazad. He epitomised Silsden’s resolve chasing back to his own goal area to deny Handsworth. It was like the “ALAMO”. Illingworth was magnificent in defence, Liam Hudson headed clear, Joe Mitchell blocked a low shot.  TAYLOR was back to deny the visitors another chance before running through the visitor’s defence to seal the victory with a slick shot.

          Illingworth blocked one more effort and Ehsan Mohammed shot over in stoppage time. Six points  from two games lifted Silsden up the table but just as important was the fighting spirit shown by the team.

          On Saturday Silsden travel to Yorkshire Amateurs before a making a trip to Nostell Miners Welfare: mid-table in League One: on the following Tuesday, in the League cup.         

SILSDEN AFC.  Higginson, Foley, Thompson, Kaine, Illingworth, Liam Hudson, Barnes, Joe Mitchell, Sorhaindo (Taylor 67), Shazad, Britton (Luke Hudson 45). Subs not used. Everingham, McKiernon.

HANDSWORTH AFC. Townsend, Mackie, Eagle, Harry Mitchell (Phillips 81), Varley, Dacre, Hobson, Mohammed (Etaia 70), Rawson, Osborne, Grant (Walton 53). Subs not used Chappell, Seth.

Referee. Mr. L. Hibble.   Assistants. Mr. G. Hock and Mr. A. Murphy

If you’ve made the trip to the Cobbydale Construction Stadium over the years, without a doubt you’ll have seen the friendly familiar face of Pete Hanson on site, often on the turnstile offering a welcome smile in a Silsden AFC bobble hat. Pete is a staple in within Silsden AFC’s committee, and together they ensure the running of the club is comparable to clockwork. We thought we’d put some questions to Pete, and get to know the man himself, and an insight into life on the committee.

Do you want to tell us a little bit about how long you’ve been associated with the club Peter, and what your role has entailed over the years?

I’ve been associated with the club since 1980, where initially I used to play. I joined the committee a few years later in 1985. There were only three of us at the time!

Our initial aim was to get as many junior teams set up as possible. We managed to achieve this, and set up base on Keighley Road, where the Cobbydale Construction Stadium currently lies. I then took a role as a youth coach, where I had the Under 12’s right through til they became Under 17’s. We won the cup and league double five seasons on the trot. Probably the most successful team in junior football … (Pete included a “lol” at this point during the interview)

In 1996 the club opted to reform a Saturday league team. I still played a part on the junior committee and opted to join the newly formed Saturday Senior Committee.

This team was initially managed by Andy Geary, with his assistants Paul Schofield and Mick Hook. It’s fair to say that since 1996 Silsden AFC have made their mark in the history books. We won promotion in five consecutive seasons to become champions of the West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division in 2002-2003.

The highlight of this era was, without doubt, our three consecutive wins of the West Riding County Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

I have continued to be on the committee from the early years up to the present day, mainly as Secretary, then as General Secretary. I also had a hand in overseeing the development of the Sports Club at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium, alongside most of our current football club committee.

All this hard work culminated in us receiving a £1m grant from the National Lottery and Football Foundation to build our new Sports Club. The football club had to find nearly £100,000, which we did by holding many Sportsman’s Dinners, fundraising evenings and receiving donations over the previous 6-8 years.  The Sports Club finally opened in 2009 and I was privileged to accept the position of the first ever Chairman of Silsden Sports Club. I held this position until handing over to the present chairman, John Lohan, two years later. I then became Secretary of the Sports Club as well as continuing as General Secretary of the football club. These positions I still hold today!

What made you want to get involved with Silsden?

 I felt compelled to get involved having seen that the junior teams did not have very many facilities or changing rooms where they played, this was behind the old fire station in Silsden. Our small committee put it as a major priority to improve the facilities, which we finally did. I also had my eldest son starting to show interest in football, so the progression from player to manager of the junior teams was inevitable.

What is it that’s made you compelled to stay on for so long?

A very difficult question to answer! Knowing that the club had so many requirements was probably the overall factor. The gradual progression in strength of the committee from humble beginnings is a big factor. Also the friendships created, and the hardworking ethic of this committee is a major factor in me staying on board.

How do you think the club has developed over your time?

From getting changed in either an old Air Raid Shelter building or port-a-cabin’s in the early days down here at Keighley Road, through to the fantastic facilities we now have highlights to me that we have progressed pretty well! But this hasn’t come without very hard work by all involved at this great club. The development has not finished yet as they are plans to develop further in years to come.

Are there any specific players in the squad that you enjoy watching?

To be honest I enjoy watching most of the current squad. The players always seem to give 100%, even when they may be not playing as well as they could.

What do you get up to in your spare time?

 Not too much spare time for me. I work four days and on the fifth day I usually look after my grandson.

Weekends in the off season I spend with my wife (who unfortunately is not in the best of health) usually travelling, gardening, holidaying etc. We do like also to follow our two granddaughters who are big into dancing and we often go watch them in competitions.

What local footballers would you say you’ve admired over the years?

I have quite a few favourites, mostly from the years between 2000-2008. To name a few:

Matthew and Martin Bland, Dale Hoyle, Jimmy Hedges, Michael Rosser, Martin Fougler, Gavin Finn, Adam Reed, Gary Lund were great players. Older players I played with were Harry Rose, Mick Tillotson, Andy Geary, Graeme Fretwell, Ernie and Colin Guest.

More recently the likes of James Nettleton, Kevin Ryan, James Gill, Martin Packer, Josh Kaine, Danny Illingworth, Joe Gaughan, Arley Barnes and quite a few others.

I probably have missed a few off these list, so apologies if this was the case!

What would you say makes Silsden AFC unique from other football clubs?

A few things make a good club. I think for starters the management of Danny, Craig and coaches are second to none at this level. Also the attitude of players is always a sign of a good club. Both these factors are good, at the moment, at Silsden AFC; but one should never be satisfied and should always aim higher.