AFTER achieving promotion through the play-offs last season, Eccleshill United are beginning to establish themselves in the North Counties East Football League top flight.

They sit mid-table in 11th place after 18 games, having won four of their last five games and remaining unbeaten in the league since late October.

Two successive Saturday postponements have frustrated them this month but the memory of their 6-0 derby victory at rivals Liversedge at the start of December no doubt still tastes sweet.

Manager Sean Regan said: “We’re really happy with things so far this season, things have gone to plan.

“This is a really tough division to be in but we want to be there and I feel we are more than competing in it at the moment.”

Regan feels that the squad as a whole have clicked this season and that every player has given an equal contribution to their success.

He added: “I don’t feel that we have any stand-out players, the balance of the whole team has been great.

"The combination of everybody has balanced out very well. Everybody has contributed as much as anybody else.”

The club received the blow that left-back Scott Manning will no longer be a part of their squad as he is unable to return to playing after a bad leg-break in last season’s play-off final victory over Grimsby Borough.

His retirement from the game came as a shock to the club as the attacking left-back had become a key player, contributing with a few goals and assists throughout his time with the Eagles.

Regan added: “I feel badly for Scott and his family, it is dreadful for him as it has also caused complications with his work commitments as well as football.

"Myself and the club as a whole are devastated that he’s not going to be able to play for us again as he was one of our key players last season.”

In a statement on the club's website, Manning wrote: "I’d like to wish the whole club all the success in the future and I’ll be sure to pop up every now and again to watch the lads, and may bring my little boy too.

"I still see some of the Leeds lads and keep in contact with the boys which keeps me sane."

He added: "Thank you in particular to club chairman Adrian Benson also, for everything he has done for me and to the club in general for their support in such a tough time."