IT WAS a difficult season of transition for Eccleshill United following five years of partnership with Mark Ellis’ Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) but the club ended it with the manager they wanted.

The Eagles' chairman of football Adrian Benson approached former Liversedge and Thackley boss Sean Regan last summer but unfortunately his day job prevented him from accepting the role.

Regan was able to commit as a coach so he was drafted in to work, when available, alongside new manager Mark Greaves and his number two Hayden Lobley.

The previous season had been a disappointing one and ended in a 13th-placed finish which meant no qualification for the FA Cup. The Eagles were in the FA Vase but a home defeat to Northern League outfit Heaton Stannington in the first qualifying round was one of four losses in the first six games of the season.

League form failed to improve significantly and when the Eagles faced the first hurdle in the West Riding County Cup they were 14th in the table. Mood in the camp was not lifted as Greaves’ men lost 7-6 on penalties to Barnoldswick Town after a 5-5 draw.

Two defeats in the league followed but points were earned and the Eagles ended October in 11th thanks to a 6-2 home win over Worsbrough Bridge Athletic on the last day of the month.

Before November had ended Greaves and Lobley parted company with the club, Benson citing ‘differences that couldn’t be reconciled’ when he made the announcement that head of coaching Regan was taking over.

Unfortunately his appointment coincided with a run that saw 12 of the next 22 fixtures postponed and the club were playing catch up from then on. There was a good run towards the end of the campaign with just three defeats in their last 11 games.

One of those three losses felt like a moral victory as it came in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Cup at Premier Division neighbours Thackley.

The Dennyboys were in a rich vein of form in late March but the Eagles, thanks to a brace from top scorer Luke Harrop, earned a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes, only for the home side to win 4-2 after extra-time.

NCE Div One Pos:13th P40 W13 D9 L18 F86 A90 GD-4 Pts48