Review of season

Silsden began the season with back-to-back victories and were certainly glad of those as the campaign unfolded.

Under the guidance of Andy Geary – the manager who had led the unfashionable club into the North West Counties League – for a second spell, expectations at the Angel Telecom Stadium were high.

But the squad that Geary had inherited on his return was not in the same class as the players he had unprecedented success with during his initial stint.

The club’s finances had been hit by the years as tenants at Cougar Park and previous boss Chris Reape’s only option had been to draft in young players he knew from his coaching work at Oldham Athletic and Bradford City.

Geary embraced the task of trying to take Silsden forward with the youthful squad but had to endure the inconsistency that came with it.

After opening with two victories, the Cobbydalers won just three of their next 21 games in all competitions.

A run of three straight league victories followed that – 5-1 at home to Squires Gate, 2-1 at Maine Road and a single-goal victory at home against St Helens Town.

Those nine points proved crucial as the Cobbydalers finished just eight points above the Premier Division drop zone.

Victories were hard to come by but Silsden sent their fans into the summer recess happy after winning three of their last four home games to climb up to 15th place and above local rivals Barnoldswick Town.

Bragging rights over their long-term rivals capped the campaign off nicely.