Having been denied a second season as tenants at Bradford Council-owned Horsfall Stadium very late in the day, Albion Sports have spent the summer frantically making alternative arrangements.

The club, with a proud tradition in its own city, has had to up sticks and move across the border to neighbouring Leeds territory.

All the upheaval has led to problems with organising friendly fixtures and structuring the entire pre-season but a hand of friendship from Farsley has ensured that Albion can at least take up the promotion they earned last term.

Albion boss Kulwinder Sandhu announced the cub’s list of warm-up games this week and, given the background, he is pleased to be looking ahead.

“We have got five games and I’m happy with that. It has been difficult because of the ground situation. In fact it has been a horrible time for us.

“Hall Road Rangers, Silsden, Eccleshill, Goole and Farsley – again – all these people have helped us out.

“There was a verbal agreement for a friendly with Farsley before last season ended but when it turned out we would be sharing their ground they didn’t want it because it would be another on their pitch.

“But once they had sorted all of their pre-season fixtures out they came back to us and told us they could fit us in. That was very good of them and we will be eternally grateful.”

The only problem for Albion now is that the club coffers will not receive a boost.

Any home friendly usually has the cash tills ringing but Albion don’t have a home.

“These games are great for me and the players because we will get exactly what we need from them but the chairman and the committee aren’t very pleased because it doesn’t generate any income.

“Farsley are playing Leeds United today and what they make from that will set them up for the season. Guiseley are playing Bradford City and Huddersfield Town and Park Avenue also play both of them and a Pakistan XI.

“Those types of game are out of our league but we had a chance of a game with FC Halifax Town. We approached them and they asked for a date but we couldn’t give one, and that was way back because these games are arranged well in advance.

“If we could have played someone of their stature it would have been a feather in our caps and given us a much-needed financial boost.”

Albion’s full pre-season fixture list: Tue July 16: Farsley; Sat 20: Hall Road Rangers; Tue 23: Silsden; Tue 30: Eccleshill; Sat August 3: Goole – all away.