NWC Premier Division: Final position 12th (P42 W16 D9 L17 F59 A59 GD0 Pt57)

It was a difficult start to the season for Silsden but they managed to turn it around with some very good form in the second half of the campaign.

The first two months brought just three victories – two in the North West Counties League and one on penalties in an FA Cup extra preliminary-round replay at Rossington Main.

Even that avenue turned into a cul-de-sac as they lost a replay in the next round at Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Cobbydalers manager Chris Reape and assistant Danny Bolton worked hard to rectify the problems and there were some bright days.

A victory at great rivals Barnoldswick Town and a home win over Winsford Town that sparked a run of nine points from three games were high points but inconsistency was still holding them back.

The signing of former Bradford City youth forward Joe Gaughan made a big difference and they pulled off a coup when they snatched Mike Garrod from under the noses of Northern Counties East League Premier Division neighbours Thackley.

Garrod had been at Dennyfield but could only play midweek due to college commitments. But as soon as he became available for Saturdays, he signed for Silsden.

Three defeats on the spin towards the end of March rocked confidence and stalled the mini-revival but a strong finish saw the Cobbydalers lose just three of their last nine games.

That gave them a respectable 12th-placed finish in the 22-strong division and with a lot of hope for next term.