Former Leeds United and Rochdale defender Mark Jackson is having a bigger influence on the pitch for Farsley since becoming a management and coaching assistant than he did when he signed as a player.

Jackson left the full-time game ridiculously early due to a myriad of injury concerns. When he arrived at Throstle Nest, the Celts were in the top tier of the non-league game, the Conference. That was three seasons back but Jackson was still struggling to play regularly.

Farsley boss Neil Parsley said: “Jacko has been a cornerstone of our recent good form and everyone at the club is delighted to see him back to his very best.

“When he joined us, and during last season, he missed a lot of games through injury but now we are reaping the benefits of his signing.

“We have a training plan for him that he sticks to and all things considered he is doing well and it seems to be working. He isn’t doing the full schedule that the other players are but the plan is tailored to him and keeps him fit.

“He marshals his back four so well that him being in the team really does make a huge difference. We have got a couple of clean sheets recently and you can’t see that with Jacko out of the side.

“He is also having a massive influence on Josh Radcliffe, who partners him at centre back. The other defenders are also improving because they are playing alongside Jacko with his leadership qualities.”