BRAGGING rights will be on the line for a good cause when Silsden battle Steeton in a fundraising cup clash this weekend.

The Keighley Senior Cup Final will return on Saturday when the sides renew their rivalry at Silsden's Cobbydale Construction Stadium (3pm kick-off).

All proceeds from the clash with go to Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, based in Keighley Road, Oxenhope.

Once Silsden, now managed by Danny Forrest, joined the Hallmark Security League they were forced to withdraw from the Keighley and District Cup competition as they were deemed 'too strong'. Steeton, managed by Roy Mason, have also been excluded having moved into the NWCFL. But the Keighley and District FA have agreed to Silsden and Steeton playing for the Senior Cup on an annual basis. The clubs have also agreed to make this a charity match.

A number of members and supporters of each club have been affected by some form of cancer.

Mick Hook, who, along with Andy Geary, brought Silsden from Division Two in the Craven League to the First Division, now Premier Division, in the Hallmark Security League, winning the County Cup three years in succession on the way, found that he had cancer in August 2018.

He said: “I first felt it on the base of my tongue then at the bottom of the throat. There was a lump on my neck. I soon began to lose weight, to lose energy and become tired very easily. I got several infections over nine months and had to be fed through a tube. I still find eating and drinking difficult.

“After 35 sets of radiation, excluding weekends, and two sets of chemotherapy, I eventually began to see some progress.

"Although the cancer has gone and I am now working three days a week I still tire easily.

"It’s a lousy illness but I am delighted to be getting slowly back to normal.

"It’s great that the two local clubs have got together to raise the money for Manorlands.

“It will be great to see some familiar faces from those golden days. I still remember the last seven games of our first season in the North West Counties.

"We had to win them all to gain promotion including beating the champions, Cammell Laird, twice. We did it.”

Steeton’s Graham Holmes, one of many players who have played for both clubs, is one player who has first-hand experience of Manorlands and the support and care that they offer when, his mother Carol was there last year.

He said: "I can't speak highly enough about the care and support that they provide, nothing is too much trouble for them and the way they looked after my mum was second to none.

"It's a great charity to support and one that really does need everyone to get behind it in order for it to continue to give people that home from home care and make people’s lives that bit more comfortable.”

Forrest says it should be a great occasion for both clubs, with football providing a good platform for fundraising.

He added: "It will hopefully generate interest in the area, with its two biggest amateur teams.

"Cancer has affected quite a few people at both clubs.

"The two football clubs will put their rivalry to one side to support the cause.

"Football is a good vehicle, it brings people together.

"It's a fantastic thing to be able to support Manorlands and generate money for them. We want to raise as much money as we can.

"All the lads are up for it. It allows us as coaching staff to keep tabs on them after the end of season and allows us to speak to te players about the future and what's happening next season."

Entrance to the game is £4 for adults and £2 children. There is also a function in the clubhouse at 7.30pm with a musical performance from Neon Ice.

Donations and raffle prizes would be much appreciated. Tickets can be ordered through Sean McNulty on 07432 508314 and can be collected at Aire Valley IFA or at the clubhouse on the day.

Meanwhile, it was awards galore at Steeton's presentation night.

Under-16s: Leading Scorer: Lewis Gardner; Manager's Player: Harris Khan; Players' Player: Joel Oxford.

U18s: Leading Scorer: Harry Farnell; Manager's Player: Dom Wescott/Farnell; Players' Player: Harrison Houldsworth.

Reserves: Leading Scorer: Will Knight; Manager's Player: Casey Dowthwaite; Players' Player: Jack Richmond.

First Team: Leading Scorer: Andy Briggs; Manager's Player: Stephen Pearson; Players' Player: Stephen Pearson; Club Man Of The Year: Robert Tosney.