Liversedge's under-19s side will have one of the youngest coaching duos of any of the local semi-professional outfits when the new season begins.

Simon Wood was only the assistant manager of the youth team at Clayborn last term but he has moved up following Mark Brier's accession to the chairmanship role at the Spen outfit.

"Simon, who is 23, will be assisted by Joe Hewitt, who is only 21, and they are going to continue the good work that has been done over recent seasons," said Brier.

"Everyone at the club is excited about the new season following the changes over the close season at committee level and given the good record we have of bringing through quality players here at Clayborn.

"The Academy side's coaching team will be very young but they have done incredibly well.

"Simon is a B-licence coach and the pair of them are very organised. The Academy players also respond very well to them and show them a huge deal of respect.

"It was part of my mission towards the end of last season to help raise the standards across the board at the club. I feel we did that with the youth side and Simon and Joe will continue that.

"I have told the two lads that I don't want their roles to infringe on their own playing careers. Just because they are good coaches, and that has come to the fore at a young age, it shouldn't stop them enjoying playing themselves.

"I think its great news for the area - Bradford, Spenborough and the outer districts - because it provides the young talent with an outlet.

"Good players at school can find a way through to the very top through our club, especially after our merger with Gomersal and Cleckheaton last year and all of the youth-team age groups, for both boys and girls, that came with them to the infrastructure of Sedge."