We would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone connected with Silsden AFC to the 2009/10 football season. It is only 6 weeks since the 1st Team finished a creditable 9th place in the North West Counties Premier Division and more importantly only 7 weeks until they kick off the new campaign on Sat 08th August. The long road to Wembley starts the week after, with FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Sat 15th August. For the third season out of the last four it was a Final appearance for a fellow North West Counties side in the FA Vase Final 5 weeks ago, will it be Silsden’s turn this time out? It’s only ten games from Wembley, if we’re drawn out in a First Round Qualifying tie, to be played on Sat 05th September.

The 1st Team will be looking for further improvement on League position as again the NWCL Premier Division will be made up of 22 teams. With only AFC Fylde promoted, along with Atherton Collieries relegation, the top two sides from Division 1 (Bootle and Padiham) join the league and keep the 42 league match programme in place. The NWCL Premier division offers football at the highest standard in the area (Step 5 in the Football League Pyramid, along with FA Cup and FA Vase matches) so another exciting season lies ahead. The side will again be managed and coached by Paul Schofield and his assistant Dave Morgan, both of which are UEFA qualified coaches with experience of both the professional and non-league game.

To complement the highly successful first team squad, the new season will see the added benefit of a Reserve side playing against other Reserve sides who’s first elevens play at the highest of standards (between Step 2 and Step 6). The Lancashire League has an East/West split and the 2009/10 East Division will be made up of the following 13 teams: Bradford Park Avenue, Eccleshill Utd, Farsley Celtic, Guiseley, Harrogate Railway, Harrogate Town, Ossett Albion, Ossett Town, Pontefract Collieries, Silsden, Thackley, Wakefield and Yorkshire Amateur.

Subject to acceptance at the Leagues AGM (June 09), this will mean a 24 game season plus a League Cup knockout which incorporates both east and west divisions. With the caliber of sides listed and League rules stating that all games must be played on the home sides 1st team pitches, Silsden AFC can now offer not only the top flight football in the area (North West Counties) but also a second to none stepping stone (Lancashire League) for progression of the area’s top footballers.

The side will be jointly managed by qualified coaches Justin Crowther and Simon Armstrong (South Craven Schools, Sports Development Manager), who both have playing experience in the North East Counties League along with football management experience.

The new Clubhouse at Keighley Road is now open and has already hosted the hugely successful Silsden Juniors 6-a-Side Tournament and also the annual Tom Storton Memorial Tournament. Both events were superbly organised and received huge plaudits from players and supporters alike!

Along with the Two Senior Saturday sides, this coming season will also see a Reserve Sunday side to compliment the current Sunday team with both playing in the Bradford Sunday Alliance League. The Silsden Junior structure, which will have a full complement of teams for the 2009/10 season. i.e.: Under 7’s through to Under 17’s, will be looking for another highly successful campaign.

Good Luck To All at Silsden AFC for what promises to be a Great Football Season ahead!