Brown and Wignall Join The Sils

Centre back Josh Brown and striker Ben Wignall are the Cobbydalers most recent signings after both have been involved with the team throughout pre season.

Brown joins after previously representing the club four years. His progress was hampered by two serious knee injuries. After a successful season at neighbours Silsden Whitestar, Josh re-joins the Cobbydalers.

Wignall joins after impressing during pre season and will add to the attacking options in the squad. The 24 year old spent three years with Hartlepool United, captaining their youth team before moving to the USA to play for NCAA Division 1 outfit Fairfield University, where he finished top scorer four years in a row and co-captained the side to the national tournament and a national ranking of 32/208.

Manager Danny Forrest had this to say on the new recruits:

“Both Josh and Ben have brought a positive energy through pre season and they’ll definitely strengthen the squad.

Josh comes off the back of a great season at Silsden Whitestar and definitely has the attributes to do well at this level. We’ve seen positive signs over the last month or so. I’m sure he’ll provide strong competition for our other centre backs and also learn and develop at the same time.

We’ve been impressed with Ben, he has a great pedigree and his football intelligence has been a breath of fresh air. I’m sure he’ll be a real asset and I’m excited to see him progress with us.”

Meanwhile Luke Rhodes has left the club, we would like to place on record our thanks for Luke’s contribution over the past two years.

Silsden AFC’s lead physio, Andy Henson, has been enjoying a busy summer away from the Cobbydale Construction Stadium.

First up was the news that he had graduated with a First in Physiotherapy from the University of Bradford, achieving 92% in his dissertation proving that hard work does indeed pay off, however, he had little time to relax and take it in as it was straight into pre-season training with the Silsden team.

Andy then jetted off to Mexico where he would spend the week with the GB Medics team at the World Medical Football Championship. The GB team retained their title in the competition made up of 20 teams, with all the players being doctors. Beating Brazil in the quarter-finals, Argentina on penalties in the semi-finals and then the Czech Republic in the final, the side proved their mettle

We are sure that Andy’s work was a key part of the GB side’s success as they played 6 games in 7 days, proving just how key he could be to the Cobbydalers in the coming campaign!
Congratulations Andy, from everyone here at Silsden.

You deserve to reap the rewards of your success and we look forward to having you in our ranks for the third season running!

You can also follow the GB Medics team on twitter: @GBRMEDFOOTBALL

We are proud to announce the signing of our third signing of the summer transfer window is forward Khurram Shazad, who played for Eccleshill last season.

Shazad was part of the C Halifax Town Youth Team before having a short spell at local side Brighouse Town. Following this, he played as a professional in the USA and in Austria.

Manager Danny Forrest has had his say on his latest acquisition:

“Khurram is right up my street in that he has a great attitude and just enjoys playing football.
I feel we were missing something in the final third last season and he’ll certainly bring creativity and make things happen for us. He joins the club off the back of a strong season and I’m sure he’ll kick on with us now”

These positive words were echoed by Khurram himself as well:

“The first few sessions have been really, really good. High intensity and they’re a good set of lads. It’s been really positive and hard working. We’ve been doing fitness but work with the balls as well which I like.”

 

Silsden AFC are delighted to announce the signing of 17-year-old goalkeeper Alfie Darke from Bradford City.

Darke, who played the final three games of last season on loan at Silsden obviously impressed as he now returns to The Cobbydalers.

A Bradford City scholar for the last few years, the young goalkeeper showed plenty of potential as well as a maturity in his game not often found at this level, proving himself to be a valuable asset for Danny Forrest’s outfit.

The manager had his say once the deal had been finalized:

“I’m delighted to get Alfie on board, since joining on a youth loan from Bradford City he’s been a breath of fresh air. At such a young age, I’m sure he will develop, and while doing so he’ll certainly play a big part for the club this season. I believe securing Alfie shows just how attractive the club is now.”

Alfie himself also spoke about his successful first training sessions as a full Silsden player:

“It’s been tough, there’s been a lot of warm weather but you’ve got to get the hard graft in and it’s important to hit the ground running for the new season.”

Find out more about our new signings in the coming days and weeks, as we build up to the new season, by following our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Silsden AFC is delighted to announce the signing of Liam Hudson for the 2019/2020 season.
The 26-year-old has played for both Thackley and Eccleshill for a number of years in the Northern Counties East Football League and can play as both a defender and, in the middle of the park, as a holding midfielder.

Manager Danny Forrest certainly thinks that Hudson has the potential and the versatility to improve the squad as he outlined earlier on today:

“I’m made up to finally get Liam on board, he’s someone I’ve tracked for a few years now. He’s been in training with us since January after coming back from injury, so we know all about his character and ability. He’s committed and has a great attitude, he can play in numerous positions and has plenty of ability, he’ll certainly improve us.”

Remember to stay updated with all our news by following us on social media and by checking the website. There may be some exciting news coming soon…

The Cobbydalers began pre season training last Saturday and there were plenty of familiar faces in attendance.

Captain Josh Kaine and fellow defenders Dan Illingworth and Matty Moses will be with the Sils for the 2019/20 campaign.

Midfielders Joe Mitchell, Arley Barnes, Luke Rhodes and Player-Assitant Manager Craig Bentham have all put pen to paper and will form the engine room while Mark Everingham, Will Storrie and Josh Mckiernon have also committed for another season.

Top scorer Aidan Kirby also stays and will be looking to better last season’s goal tally while Laurence Sorhaindo will be looking to kick on after showing plenty of promise through the second half of last season. Chris Wademan will rejoin the squad in the Autumn on his return from a spell at Riverside Olympic FC in Australia.

Youngsters Harry Parsons, Devon Ridley, Harrison Hardisty-Blackwell and Ben Darkins will all be hoping for their break after being in and around the first team squad last season.

Manager Danny Forrest had his say:

“These lads have given me absolutely everything and I’m confident this core group of players has what it takes to help the club progress.

A lot of them have been with me almost three years now, I know what I’m getting with them and I’m confident we can help them go and improve again.

With some exciting additions in the pipeline it’s shaping up nicely.”

Check back during this coming week as we introduce some new faces!

Silsden AFC can confirm that Tom Higman will join Manager Danny Forrest’s coaching team for the 2019/20 season.

Higman, once a highly rated young footballer, plied his trade for various clubs in the NCEL for a number of seasons and will bring experience and nous to an already strong group of staff. Higman’s recent experience includes managing Burley Trojans for the past two seasons.

Danny Forrest had his say on the new staff member:

“Tom is someone I’ve known a long time and whose opinion I really value. He is local and knows the level, he has a strong network in the area which I’m sure will prove valuable. I’m really looking forward to having him with us and I know he has a lot to offer the players.”

“We’ve seen the value of having a strong team of staff, everyone brings something a little different to the party which is important.”

Craig Bentham will continue in his role as Player/Assistant Manager after an influential season on and off the pitch, as will First Team Coach Brian Blackwell who became an integral part of the coaching staff and will also oversee the U23 setup.

Andy Henson moves into his third season with the club as he heads up the medical department and will use his sports rehab and physiotherapy expertise to support the players with all things fitness and conditioning.

Goalkeeper Coach Kev Knappy and Coaches Qasim Akhtar and Clive Murgatroyd will continue in their respective roles. U23 Coach Russell Waite remains in his role and the club also welcome new analyst Liam Tharme.

We also welcome Dan Benn to the club who comes on board as a Media Officer and will work closely with Videographer Scott Coulthard.

Today Silsden AFC can confirm that we will be saying goodbye to another member of the squad.

Goalkeeper Callum Jakovlevs joined the club in July 2016 before leaving to join Prestwich Heys in September 2018. Jakovlevs then rejoined The Cobbydalers in November.
He leaves with over 120 appearances for Silsden under his belt, proving him to be a true servant of the club and, yet again, Danny Forrest only had good things to say about the goalkeeper:

“Callum has been first class since originally joining the club three years ago. He’s played a big part during my time here and I’d like to thank him on behalf of the club for all of his efforts in a Silsden shirt. The association ends on good terms and I’ll certainly be keeping in touch with him.”

Forrest also spoke about how the squad is coming together ahead of the start of the Cobbydaler’s pre-season schedule:

“We move on as a team and a club, and I’m excited about how the squad is shaping up. Hopefully, we’ll be able to firm things up and bring more news later on in the month.”

Danny Forrest also confirmed that there are negotiations going on behind the scenes to bring players into the club and the squad is starting to shape up nicely as the entire team prepares to begin preparations before the new season begins.

Everybody at Silsden AFC would like to say thank you to Mateusz Tomas and Niall Sultan who are departing the club after two and three years’ service respectively.

Tomas leaves the Cobbydalers due to work commitments after scoring 4 goals in 55 appearances for Silsden whilst Sultan, who leaves due to travelling and the geographical situation after moving laterally to NCEL, managed 21 goals in 77 appearances.

Manager Danny Forrest only had good things to say about the pair:

“Niall has been brilliant during the last three years and was pivotal in the 2017/18 promotion season. I’ve really enjoyed working with him and I know he’s enjoyed being with us but geographically it wasn’t likely to work for both parties next season and we wish him all the best in the future.

“Likewise, Mateusz has been a pleasure to work with, he’s got a great attitude and has impacted our squad hugely in the last two years. It’s unfortunate that his circumstances aren’t a bit different.

“I’m disappointed to see both lads go but I’d really like to wish them all the best in their futures.”

Thank you, Mateusz. Thank you, Niall.

All the best from everybody here at the club.

Silsden AFC will be holding our first trial sessions on Sunday 23rd June for our Post 16 Elite Player Development Programme & U23 teams.

The trials will be hosted by UEFA Qualified First Team Coach Brian Blackwell and will be held at Keighley RFU (BD20 6DT).

The trial will last two hours (11.00am – 1.00pm) and players should arrive at 10.40am for registration.

To register for the trial day please contact Brian Blackwell

Email: brianblackwell10@yahoo.com

Phone: 07512509970