THERE is a genuine feeling of hope before Thackley report back from their short summer break.

With the first of six pre-season friendly games scheduled for four weeks on Wednesday, the management and coaching staff do not have long to work with the players.

Yet the feel-good factor that was awash at Dennyfield towards the end of last season lingers on.

Committeeman Steve Paley said: "We're not getting carried away after the last few years but everybody seems pretty optimistic and we're all looking forward to the new season.

"Much of last season was a real struggle but, on the whole, we did remarkably well, getting seven wins out of nine games from the middle of January to the start of March.

"Now we've got some very good, competitive friendly games to get us in the mood for the next campaign."

The Dennyboys were as low as 17th at one point – below neighbours Liversedge – but rallied to finish a respectable 12th, just outside the top half of the 21-strong Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

The recovery came despite austere times at the club which led to tight financial restraints. It also began soon after former Silsden boss Chris Reape was appointed and brought Paul Clayton in as his assistant.

Paley said: "It was fabulous for us to finish 12th, considering what we'd been through, so we were all pleased with the way the season went.

"I've got nothing but praise for every player who pulled on a Thackley shirt in the season just gone.

"We're looking to the next one now and if we can hit the ground running, if we can get the kind of start we didn't have last August, we should be all right.

"It's never a good indicator but if we can start next season as we ended the last one, we shouldn't have to worry, but we need a good pre-season.

"I think last season only began once Chris and Paul arrived. They brought a real calm to the way they did everything and things picked up from there.

"Confidence plays a really big part and once Chris got them winning, the mentality changed."