HUDDERSFIELD Town's promotion to the Barclays Premier League has had an unfortunate knock-on effect for the West Riding County Amateur League.

On the eve of the new season, they have lost Holmfirth Town, who finished last season fourth in Division One but were promoted to the Premier Division.

Holmfirth, league members for two seasons, now cannot find enough players as the majority of their squad are going to watch the Terriers.

Wibsey, who finished four places below Holmfirth in the table, have been promoted to take their place, thus keeping the Premier Division at 14 teams – the minimum allowed for Step Seven of the National League System.

Wibsey start their season tomorrow at defending champions Lower Hopton.

Steeton, who finished third last season, are at home to Huddersfield-based DRAM Community. Salts also start at home against Golcar United, while Thornton United visit Britannia Sports, and Route One Rovers are at Wakefield City.

In Division One, Division Two champions TVR United host Division Two runners-up Salts Reserves, who finished five points behind them.

Steeton, who have tested themselves in pre-season friendlies against Thackley, Colne and Bacup Borough, among others, follow up their opener with two more home matches – against Route One Rovers next Wednesday (6.30) and Lepton Highlanders a week tomorrow.

Manager Roy Mason, who also guided Steeton to the League Cup and West Riding County Challenge Cup semi-finals last season, said: “I have been delighted with the attitude of the players.

"They have really bought into what we are trying to do and have worked extremely hard in the process.

"We have worked very closely with NR Gym in Keighley, and the sessions that they have put on have been fantastic.

“With regard to the pre-season games, I purposely wanted to test us against sides at a higher level in order for us to get the experience of playing better sides and also for us to see where we are as a club when facing these sides.

"I felt that we did very well against Bacup and Thackley and, in fairness, Colne were then a step up from what we had played and you can see why they are one of the favourites for promotion from the Evo Stik North."

Steeton have added a couple of new faces in Rory Judd and Tom Baker, but Mason is still on the lookout to strengthen in a couple of positions.

The club have also started a new under-19 side that will play at University Academy Keighley in midweek, and Mason paid tribute to their manager Pete Jeffrey, who has single-handedly sorted everything out.

Mason said: “I see this as a great move for the club and one that should help us attract the best under-19 players in the area and it gives them the opportunity to pit their wits against other non-league sides in the area and gain vital experience.

"Hopefully we can then integrate these players into the reserves and then the first team."

Ben Clarkson is already a product of this system and has impressed Mason in pre-season.

The club will also continue to run an under-18 Sunday side, which Joe Bryceland will manage.

Steeton are also looking to strengthen off the field via an assistant reserve-team coach to assist Andy Foster, plus another coach to help with the first-team.

Anyone interested can contact Roy at mason@steetonafc.co.uk

* Tadcaster Albion will stage the first round FA Inter-League Cup tie between The York Minster Engineering League and the West Riding County Amateur League on Saturday, October 14.