FARSLEY joint-manager John Deacey has leapt to the defence of the Celts amid speculation they were one of the clubs that had angered Liversedge boss Jonathan Rimmington.

Deacey's opposite number at Clayborn had launched a broadside at clubs higher up the pyramid that were looking to cherry-pick some of his assets.

Sedge were deep in trouble with just two months of last season remaining but a spirited run saw them escape the drop and they have had an amazing start to this campaign.

Deacey said: "We did put seven days' notice of approach in for Harrison Blakey but it was all above board and through the right channels.

"Harrison was with me at Bradford Park Avenue and he has always been a good player. I spoke to him in the summer when he was a free agent and asked him if he fancied coming up to Farsley.

"I didn't hear anything from him until he had joined Yorkshire Amateur just before the start of the season and then he contacted me.

"He said he thought he would play a lot more football at Yorkshire Ams than with us, so I told him that if he ever wanted to change his mind we would be interested.

"He later left Yorkshire Ams and went to Liversedge but I, nor anyone else from our club, had any contact with the player after that. We notified his club before speaking to him and respect his decision if he wishes to stay."

Rimmington did not name names but it is understood that Blakey was one of four or five players being courted by sides from the Evo-Stik League and higher up the non-League ladder.

There has never been an implication that Farsley have acted improperly in any way and Deacey did not need to speak on behalf of his club, yet he was keen to protect their good name.

He said: "We certainly haven't done anything wrong and as regards one of his (Rimmington's) other comments, we did do our homework and recruiting in the summer. I was probably one of the first to speak to Harrison in the close season.

"I've been in the game for a long time and I know how it works. People from the National League look at our players and Bradford City's players get scouted by clubs in the Championship.

"I take his point that there is a right and a wrong way to make an approach and I'm satisfied that we did everything right. In all fairness, he is doing a great job with Sedge and I've been impressed with what he's achieved so far."