Farsley Celtic find a gem in keeper Graeme McKibbin

However, there was a saviour as Graeme McKibbin arrived out of the blue, and he has certainly proved his credentials and enhanced his reputation with his displays between the sticks for the Celts.

As ever, Farsley skipper Paddy Miller was fully involved.

The captain said: “It was a total coincidence and it all came about following a text message I got.”

“My girlfriend knows his girlfriend really well and they had been talking about Graeme missing his football since he had moved to Leeds from Northern Ireland.

“It turned out that his girlfriend asked him to contact me about coming along to train with Farsley. I gave him a call and he came in and everyone at the club was very impressed.

“He’s a great keeper who has played at a good level, at the top level in Ireland and for the youth teams of Northern Ireland, and since he’s been with us we know why he’s done so well.

“Graeme could go on to play in the Football League because he is that good. He has put in man-of-the-match performances, and even saved penalties to earn his clean sheets and, as a defender myself, I know just how much it helps to have someone like that behind you.

“We rely on him and it gives you so much confidence when you have a keeper like that.”

The only drawback, according to the Celts’ skipper, is the communication. With his strong Ulster accent McKibbin is not always immediately understood by his team-mates.

Miller adds: “When he gets excited and starts barking out orders on the pitch, we haven’t got a clue what he’s saying!

“We have a bit of banter about that in the dressing room and at training but he is an excellent keeper. He is very vocal, which helps the defensive unit and he is very commanding in his area.

"He’s also got lightning quick reactions which make him a good shot-stopper and he has a presence – he can stand tall and spread himself when needed.”