The first season back at their spiritual home of Keighley Road after more than four years as tenants at Cougar Park proved to be a troublesome but ultimately satisfying one.

Financial reasons made the Cobbydalers’ desire to return to their own ground in Silsden even more pressing. Thanks to a massive fund-raising effort by the club, a grant from the Football Foundation and a ground sponsorship deal, the money was available for them to do so.

The club had to work quickly to reach the req-uired ground standard, which meant them installing floodlights, perimeter fencing and hard standing all around the pitch.

The tight schedule meant they had to play a few more away games in the early season than they would have liked as the developments were completed but it was a small price to pay.

Back where they belonged, it was ironic that the harsh weather seemed to hit Silsden particularly hard. They hardly played a home game between the middle of October to the middle of February.

The committee worked around the clock in an effort to get games on and a tremendous snow-clearing effort ensured the official opening of the Asda Foundation Stadium on December 11, when Bacup Borough were the visitors, went ahead.

Chris Reape’s side lost the match 3-0 and there were worrying signs that the club might lose their top-flight status.

But the Silsden chief turned the situation around and they ended the season in good form, at one stage going more than 540 minutes without conceding a goal.

After flirting with relegation for most of the campaign, they ended with a 20-point cushion separating them from the drop zone.

However, they were only five places above the trapdoor.

With the transition period safely negotiated, the club feel it is onwards and upwards as they gear up for next season.