BIG changes are happening on and off the field at Farsley Celtic, with the make-up of the backroom staff looking very different to how it did a couple of weeks ago.

Long-serving physio Gareth Liversidge has departed after 18 years, and has been followed out of the door by coaches Tom Morgan and Jake Lofthouse.

The club have paid tribute to the trio, while Liversidge gave his thoughts on his departure via social media.

Those exits meant Farsley had to act decisively to get new staff members in, which they have done.

Andy Middleton is promoted from within the club to become lead goalkeeper coach, while Omed Gardezi steps up to the physio role having had previous experience at Bradford City and Huddersfield Giants.

Luke Dean and Clifton Robinson have been doing impressive coaching work in the youth set up, with first-team boss Pav Singh delighted to now have the pair supporting the first team where needed.

On the field, the Celts have loaned in Barnsley duo Kieran Flavell and Hayden Pickard, the former integral to their FA Trophy progress at the weekend.

Aaron Pickles has come in on loan from Accrington Stanley, while youth duo Thomas Priestley-Standing and Will Morrissey have now signed first-team terms.

There is also a permanent signing in the shape of defender Isaac Abankwah, who has arrived from Wythenshawe Town.

It helps soften the blow of some key departures, notably Tom Allan and Danny Greenfield, over the past few weeks.

Allan is now at Bridlington Town, having reportedly refused to travel to Buxton in Derbyshire, which is where Farsley are currently playing home games due to delays with laying their new artificial surface.

The T&A got the exclusive on the state of the pitch last week, while tensions remain between the chairman and Farsley’s supporters’ group.

The club have said via social media that the ‘killing the earth’ phase of the pitchworks was done last week, so fans should be entitled to see some progress down at Throstle Nest over the next few weeks.