THACKLEY are enjoying their pre-season but for club secretary Stewart Willingham, the best news came before a ball was kicked.

Chris Reape and his assistant Paul Clayton transformed the club's on-field fortunes when they took over midway through a troubled last campaign.

They were free agents and could have walked away at the end of the season with their stock high and being in demand by other clubs.

The only thing stopping them was that they had started a job – the big one of restoring Thackley's pride and bringing expectations back to Dennyfield. Willingham is delighted that they have chosen to continue that task.

"Chris and Paul staying on was a fantastic boost for us and I, for one, couldn't be more pleased," he said.

"They came in last season with no emotional attachment to the club – they had never played for us or coached here – and they worked so hard.

"Initially they kept the squad together and then they added to it and got us out of relegation trouble."

Willingham believes that was no flash in the pan and no reflex reaction by the squad to a new manager coming in.

The committee have backed the former Silsden boss and his right-hand man and they have high hopes for the coming campaign.

"It has gone really well so far since the players came back in and we're looking forward to the season," said Willingham.

"We have played four friendlies, winning three and drawing one, and we have beaten some very good sides in those games as well.

"Obviously the results count for nothing in pre-season but it was the performances in those games that have encouraged everyone."