SILSDEN boss Danny Forrest is a long way down the road as he looks to secure last season's squad for another push after a promising end to the last campaign – and the Cobbydalers now know who their opponents will be.

The Football Association have released the allocations for steps five and six of the pyramid system and Forrest's men will face four new challenges.

It will be more of a renewal of acquaintances with New Mills, Nelson and Cammell Laird 1907 as the three clubs dropped out of the Hallmark Security League top tier a year after the Cobbydalers took the tumble.

There will be just one newcomer as Abbey Hulton United come up from the Staffordshire County Senior League, the Stoke-based club winning promotion as champions.

Eccleshall, another Potteries-based outfit, escaped the drop despite finishing in the relegation places.

The four new clubs in Division One replace last season's champions Widnes, runners-up Charnock Richard, play-off winners City of Liverpool and basement boys Ashton Town.

Ashton will play their football next season in the Cheshire League.

Meanwhile, Silsden's plans for the new campaign are well underway – and Forrest has pulled off something of a coup by tempting former crowd favourite Joe Gaughan back for a second spell with the Cobbydalers.

The forward began his career with Silsden but moved on for a spell, playing for Stopout Sports Club in New Zealand.

On his return to the area, he had spells with Silsden's rivals Barnoldswick Town and Colne.

Most of Forrest's existing squad have told the former Bradford City, Guiseley and Barrow striker that they want to remain with the Cobbydalers.

Matty Moses, Chris Wademan, skipper Josh Kaine, Mark Trueman, Josh Eastwood, keeper Callum Jakovlevs, Danny Bunch, Nicky McNally, Mark Everingham, Charlie Holt, Sammy Lee, Tom Henderson and Danny Vincent have all signed on for the coming term.