THACKLEY keep stealing the headlines but it is the off-field drama rather than the football that is keeping the club in the news.

The Dennyboys will have a new manager-head coach for the FOURTH consecutive Saturday when they host Garforth Town in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division on Saturday.

Andy Patterson was sacked after a run of poor results and replaced by Carl Priestley on an interim basis.

He oversaw a home draw and a midweek win but was demoted to assistant when Lee Duxbury was appointed permanent head coach.

However, the former Bradford City midfielder lasted less than a week and has since left the club – at this stage the reason for that is unclear.

Priestley is likely to be back in the hot seat on Saturday for what will essentially be a second term.

Following the recent turmoil, the Dennyboys are on back-to-back defeats going into the clash with Leeds-based Garforth.

Thackley are 15th, above two other clubs on goal difference only, and averaging less than a point per game.

Garforth are a lofty seventh with a four point advantage over their hosts and have two games in hand.

One of the clubs on the same points as Thackley are neighbours Liversedge, who were perceived to have had a nightmare start after taking just one point from their first five fixtures.

Sedge rallied with two wins and a draw from their next four – the one they lost in that sequence was to Shaw Lane Aquaforce, who were third at the time.

Saturday will prove just as difficult as Sedge head to second-placed Tadcaster Albion.

Shaw Lane have dropped one place to fourth in the meantime but will still be hot favourites to win at Albion Sports.

Kulwinder Sandhu’s men have not been getting the rub of the green lately, being unfortunate with big decisions going against them.

They will be seeking their first win in five and, after taking just one point from a possible 12, they are out of the habit, while Shaw Lane know a win could see them at the summit as they are only one point off the top.

Eccleshill United have been steadily rising in Division One and are seventh as they head to 18th-placed Teversal.

The Eagles may be on the road but it should still be a good opportunity to stretch their winning league run to seven games.

Silsden are also riding high.

They are fourth in the North West Counties League Premier Division but face one of their bogey sides at Maine Road on Saturday.

The Manchester outfit are a well-placed seventh but have played five games more than some and are the highest club with a negative goal difference.

The Cobbydalers are in a group of three clubs on 26 points, so could claim second place with a win if Glossop and AFC Liverpool fail to take maximum points.