FORMER Bantams boss Peter Jackson has called on local businesses to get behind Steeton's move up the football pyramid.

The Chevrons first-team will play their home games at Keighley Cougars' base, Cougar Park, after their elevation to the newly-formed North West Counties League Division One North was confirmed by the Football Association.

And former City captain Jackson, who grew up in Keighley, hopes the local community will back the club's move to the semi-professional ranks.

He said: "It is great to see a Keighley side progressing and I urge local businesses to support them as this really is a chance to put football on the map in the area."

Former Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Wilson has also sent a public message of support for Roy Mason's side, who are leaving the West Riding County Amateur League after 33 years.

Mason said of the promotion: "It's brilliant, I'm absolutely delighted. It makes all of our hard work worthwhile.

"It will be a chance for us to pit ourselves against new teams and means we can progress.

"It was getting very difficult for us to attract players. They did not want to play in the County Amateur League.

"This move also sends out a message to people in the Keighley area that we want to progress.

"The move to Cougar Park gives Keighley the opportunity to have a semi-professional football team in the town. There is a population of around 70,000 people for us to tap into.

"Our current ground was not big enough to hold us in the new division.

"You have to be looking to progress all of the time. When the opportunity for us to apply for promotion presented itself, it was too good to turn down.

"We now have to attract people into watch us. We need to attract new businesses and sponsors to get onboard. We need to get more volunteers in for matchdays.

"There is a lot of hard work ahead for us, but it is exciting.

"We want to give the people a football club they can be proud of.

"It will be non-stop over the summer as we prepare for the new season."

Mason, who has been associated with Steeton for 16 years as a player and then manager, added he will be looking to attract up to seven new players during the summer to expand his small squad and get them ready for the next level up.

Steeton will also aim to be attracting footballing talent from Keighley as it progresses.

He said Steeton's groundstaff would also be working on the Cougar Park pitch as it gears up to be used all year round for both football and rugby league matches.

Any companies or individuals who want to get involved can email Mason at mason@steetonafc.co.uk