Silsden are praying for brighter weather so they can get the best out of their new recruits.

Assistant manager Danny Bolton confirmed this week that as well as Mike Garrod, striker Steve Palfrey has also been attracted to the ASDA Foundation Stadium.

“We have new signings and things have changed up here with the performances getting stronger and stronger,” said Bolton.

“Obviously we haven’t played for a while now but just prior to Christmas things were on the up and me and Chris (manager Reape) saw something in the lads.

“There is a real team spirit now and the lads are battling for each other like they should be. It has taken a while but we feel the squad is really gelling now.”

The Cobbydalers are delighted to have finally landed Palfrey from Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Bolton said: “We have been after him for over 12 months. He is a Leeds lad and a very good player but he fell out of favour at Railway so we made our move.

“Similarly, the man with the nickname ‘midweek Mike’ (Garrod). I had kept an eye on him for a while and we heard that he was moving full time to the area so would be available on Saturdays and we had a word with him.

“He loved the stadium and the set-up and, after talks with Chris and myself regarding where we want to be as a club, he signed on. The nucleus of the squad is strong now and, as I keep saying, the team sprit is fantastic.”

Bolton, the rest of the management team and the players themselves are now keen for the enforced winter break to end. Silsden have played just one game this year ahead of tomorrow’s scheduled fixture at home to Stone Dominoes.

The Cobbydalers number two said: “We are desperate to get going now. It is such a pity that we weren’t able to build on that 4-0 win at Padiham, the day after New Year’s Day. But the lads are keen to kick on from here.”