AFTER last season's trials and tribulations, which at one point looked as if Ilkley Dynamos would fold, they rebuilt and then saw a vast improvement towards the latter end of last season. This put them in good stead during for the close season.
A major new sponsor has been found in the Hollygarth Social Club, which sees the Dynamos returning to their spiritual home for the forthcoming season as they attempt to return to the Wharfedale Triangle Premier Division at the first attempt.
This season is a season of discovery for Dynamo as new players have been added to a squad and there is a new-found belief. It is also manager Glynn Collins' first full season in the job.
With the side struggling for goals last season, Dynamo's new front line of Jimmy Denman, Darren Myers and Brendan Kelly will be expected to deliver the goods along with surprise midfield discovery Jimmy Potts, who has been a revelation in the pre-season friendlies.
Dynamo had a good start, winning 6-3 against Addingham Reserves. However, the next friendly against Addingham First XI ended in a resounding defeat which although both sides had players missing, the step-up in fitness and class was too much to take against an Addingham side that again should be pushing for honours this season.
Then followed a local derby against Olicanian Academicals who were promoted last season from the division the Dynamo came down from. With something to prove Dynamo turned in probably their best performance winning 4-1.
Their final pre-season friendly was against East Lancashire League Premier side Kelbrook.Although Dynamo competed on equal terms for an hour, fitness and skill told in the end as they went down 5-1. However, on the plus side they battled for 90 minutes against a team that finished third in their league last year and at times more than matched their superior opponents.
The league season begins for Dynamos tonight, Thursday, at home to the Wheatley. It will be no mean feat achieving promotion this season as the Dynamos will face strong opponents but with a nice blend of young players and some old heads Dynamo hopefully will be pushing for honours come the end of the season.
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