THACKLEY secretary Stewart Willingham feels the influence of skipper Pat McGuire off the pitch is just as important as his presence on it.

The club are slowly getting back on an even keen following the mismanagement of previous regimes.

The current squad have dug deep and got the results that have reversed the Dennyboys' fortunes in terms of football, even though the coffers still need rebuilding.

Willigham said: "The players have been fantastic in their attitude as well as producing the performances that we needed to pull away from the relegation zone.

"This squad could have broken up and drifted off but I think we have Pat to thank as much as Chris (Reape) and Paul (Clayton) for keeping them together."

Reape, the former Silsden boss and Lee Duxbury's assistant at Eccleshill, and Clayton have reformed the tactical approach and training schedules since they were appointed to the helm.

They have played a big part in Thackley's renaissance – but McGuire has not just been the central midfield enforcer, he has also been the bonding agent that has held the squad together.

Willingham said: "Pat has stood up in team meetings and delivered impassioned speeches and the rest of the players have backed him.

"A lot of them could have gone, especially when we were struggling down near the bottom because no-one likes being in a side that's not doing well.

"But they didn't, they all followed Pat's lead and stayed. They all got behind Chris and Paul when they came in and between them they rescued the club.

"It is because of them all that we managed to steer clear of relegation – and not just steer clear but climb the table.

"Chris is a great guy and Paul has been brilliant. We have highly-qualified UEFA B and A coaches who have ridden to the rescue. Neither of them had any connections with Thackley before they came.

"But we shouldn't overlook Pat and his part in saving our status for another season."