It was a very disappointing campaign for the Dennyfield outfit, who expected much better following the genuine promise that was shown during the previous season.

They were embroiled in a battle to stay out of the bottom two in the Northern Counties East Premier Division throughout this campaign and they managed it... just.

They finished third from the basement, a single point above the trapdoor, but eight behind neighbours Eccleshill United, who also endured a nightmare season to end fourth from bottom.

The club is fiercely proud of its youth development system, run for years by Graham Clifford. Because of that conveyor belt of young talent, first-team manager John Boyle will never refer to injuries as a problem.

However, he and the rest of the coaching staff must privately have been cursing and bemoaning their misfortune. Many of the regulars of the team that turned in a club record ten straight wins in the 2005/06 campaign suffered misfortune.

Skipper Craig Sugden was the most high-profile casualty as he lumbered from month to month nursing a long-term groin problem. The only cure is extended rest, so hopefully the close season will bring a full recovery.

Thackley's luck was out as the stalwarts dropped like flies as the season progressed.

Sugden, former Leeds United youth Simon Oliver, Cory Larkin and Adam Johnson all succumbed to injury and spent more time on the sidelines than in the squad.

Former England Youth International James Riley - a mainstay in the side in recent years - also missed the major part of the season.