Season Preview
Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Silsden
A new dawn has broken at Silsden. Long-serving boss Danny Forrest has gone to Guiseley and a new broom are in charge.
Last Season’s Position 13th
Joint Managers Matthew Cavanagh and Luke Lavery
The pair were managers of the club’s reserve team last season. Cavanagh previously was assistant manager at Barnoldswick Town.
Opening Five Fixtures Bottesford Town (a), Burscough (h) – FA Cup, Penistone Church (h), Frickley Athletic (a), Hemsworth Miners Welfare (h).
Notable Transfer Movement Sam Bradley and Talent Ndlovu are the notable arrivals. Star striker Jake Normanton has joined Brighouse Town.
One to Watch Brad Riley
Interview
New Silsden joint manager Matthew Cavanagh is hopeful his club can have a good campaign.
Cavanagh and Luke Lavery have rebuilt the Silsden side following the exit of Danny Forrest and they hope to push for the top ten.
“We are in a transitional period and there’s guarantees where we will finish but we’re confident with the lads we have got that there’s no reason why we can’t push (into the top ten) rather than looking behind us,” Cavanagh told Non League Yorkshire.
“We’re not daft though.
“We know it is a ruthless league with some very competitive sides.
“Everyone is doing what Silsden are trying to achieve.
“It is going to be competitive and we know what we’re going to be up against but we feel we can progress this year.”
A lot of Silsden’s signings have been youngsters with potential but in the last couple of weeks a sprinkling of experience has arrived in Sam Bradley and Talent Ndlovu.
So Cavanagh does not regard a top ten finish as a shock.
“I’m not sure surprise package because we have got some high quality players,” he said.
“We have a lot of players who have been around a long time and have a lot of games between them.
“With a lot of the lads we have brought in we have gone down the youth route.
“The experienced players are going to be massive.
“With a new side we’re getting everyone settled down and we have spoken to them and they know they are key players within the set-up.
“They are also key to developing these young lads.”
Prediction Mid-Table