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

THE COBBYDALERS MOVE EAST!

          The Cobbydalers will be playing their football next season in the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division (Step 5), after the restructuring of Steps 5/6 of the National League System.

          Club Allocations for Steps 5/6 were confirmed, following on from a meeting of The FA’s Leagues Committee held on Tuesday 14 May 2019.  It is a sideways step for the Cobbydalers, who have been in the North West Counties for 15 years. The official website of The Hallmark Security Football League NWCFL stated “In a surprise move, The FA has moved Premier Division side Silsden over to the Northern Counties East League Premier Division for next season, leaving the Premier Division with 20 clubs, sadly ending Silsden’s 15-year association with the League.

            In the Premier Division, Longridge Town and Rylands have been promoted from Step 6 as Champions of the First Division North and First Division South as expected. They will be joined by Avro who gain promotion as runners up in the First Division North. Joining them in the Premier Division will be Skelmersdale United, who return to The North West Counties League following relegation from the Evo Stik League First Division West. They re-join the League after a 13 year absence.”

          The Cobbydalers journey in the NWCFL began on August 14^th 2004 with a two-nil victory at Norton. The Cobbydalers, under the guidance of Andy Geary and Mick Hook, went on to win promotion after a run of seven wins in the last seven games.

 Their last game this season was a home victory on April 27^th 2019 against Burscough leading to best fifish in the NWCFL.

          Silsden’s geographical position means that it is on the periphery of both the NWCFL and NCEFL with long journeys on both sides of the Pennines. As the NWCFL Premier Division has evolved, the present distribution of teams  has a southern bias with more teams south of the Mersey, Silsden’s nearest opponents being Barnoldswick Town and Padiham. The Leeds/Bradford area provides more local derbies, although there are still long trips to Bridlington and Mansfield.  Several of the present players live in the Leeds Bradford conurbation.

          Both manager Danny Forrest and his assistant Craig Bentham are happy with the move.

 

                        THE KEIGHLEY & DISTRICT FA SENIOR CHARITY CUP                                 

 (IN AID OF MANORLANDS HOSPICE)

Saturday, May 18^th 2019

                        SILSDEN AFC 3 v 1 STEETON AFC                                                               

Mitchell 15, Kirby 45, McKiernon 54.            Cox 90.         Att. 350.

          Ever since the Cobbydalers were admitted to the North West Counties League they have been excluded from the Keighley Challenge cup. With the Chevrons making a similar move this season, both sides were excluded and so they asked the Keighley & District FA if the Senior Cup could become an annual, end of season charity game. K&D gladly obliged and the inaugural game took place on Saturday at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium, before a bumper crowd, with the gate proceeds going to “Manorlands”.

          Silsden started brightly with triallist Liam Hudson delivering a diagonal cross towards the Steeton penalty area. Aidan Kirby’s dummy set up Arley Barnes who fired over the bar. Silsden continued to press with Hudson going close after a defence –splitting pass from Barnes. Steeton’s first break forward on ten minutes led to a free-kick thirty yards out. Aaron Davis’ shot was blocked by the Silsden defensive wall. Toby Jeffrey put over a dangerous cross but Tim Hird couldn’t get a clean-enough contact.

          Silsden took the lead on fifteen minutes when Joe MITCHELL hit a screamer from thirty yards out. A similar effort from Mitchell was headed for a corner. Mitchell conceded a corner at the other end but Luke Baldwin headed over. Toby Rawcliffe’s intervention halted Wademan before Mitchell worked the ball to Hudson, who hit a powerful cross shot which fizzed before the far post.

          At the other end Davis battled hard to create an opening but his shot lacked venom. Luke Baldwin then went on a good run before crossing into the danger area, Jack Richmond’s scissor-kick clearing the Silsden bar. At the other end Kirby shot wide after Josh McKiernon had set up an opening. Baldwin hit another cross shot before Moses went close after a slick Silsden break.      Davies just failed to level the scores after Richmond had created an opening before the former Cobbydaler pulled a hamstring …for the third time this season! Barnes rattled the crossbar before, on the stroke of halftime, KIRBY put Silsden two up.

          Silsden were on the attack at the start of the second half. Kirby worked an opening but his shot was wide before Wademan’s cross was cleared. Toby Jeffrey broke down the right but there was no end product but Steeton still looked to play some slick football, Rawcliffe, Harrison-Holdsworth and Jeffrey combining well before Moses came to Silsden’s rescue. Jeffrey continued to look the Chevrons’ best outlet.

          Silsden killed the game ten minutes into the second half when McKIERNON rifled home Kirby’s cross. Nevertheless Steeton still searched for a goal. Hird fed Holmes who set up Clarkson but Kaine had spotted the danger. Lawrence Sorhaindo, on for McKiernon, broke forwards and passed the advancing Steeton keeper but didn’t have the legs to prevent the ball from going out of play. Tidswell saved Sorhaindo’s deft chip ten minutes later but got away with it when he fumbled Wademan’s low effort.

          Mitchell hit the side netting before Barnes’ free-kick was saved. In the ninetieth minute Clarkson set up substitute Ben COX to net a consolation goal.

          The Cobbydalers experience of fifteen years in the NWCFL told in the end and Josh Kaine received the Challenge trophy from former Cobbydalers assistant manager Mick Hook, who was instrumental in setting up the match for charity.

          Many thanks must go to the members of The Keighley and District F.A. who, over the last fortnight, have overseen several Cup Finals in the local area. Without them such games would not take place.

          Details on the donation to Manorlands will follow.

SILSDEN AFC. Darke (Jakovlevs 45), Hudson, Moses, Kaine, Illingworth, Bentham, Barnes, Mitchell, Wademan, Kirby (Rhodes 63), McKiernon (Sorhaindo 63). Subs not used Ridley, Parsons.

STEETON AFC. Tidswell, Rawcliffe, Scott, (Harrison-Holdsworth 45), Morgan, Rooke, Hird, Jeffrey, Richmond, Davis (Holmes 40), Clarkson (Cox 84),  Baldwin.

Referee. Mr. M. Gupta. Assistants Mr. C. Veighey & Mr. C. Worswick.