FORMER Silsden and Barnoldswick Town striker Joe Gaughan has returned from a year out of the game to sign for Liversedge.

He is one of a number of signings Liversedge have made in the past week, including former Bradford (Park Avenue) star Paul Walker and ex-Brighouse Town duo Adam Field and Jordan Porter.

Sedge had looked on course for promotion from the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division, in form and in second place, but the season was declared null and void in March.

But with striker Oliver Fearon already confirmed to be staying at Clayborn, along with exciting young attacking midfielder Alfie Raw, Sedge's options up top look promising.

And with the prolific Gaughan now joining them, the club will fancy another promotion push next season.

Gaughan started his career at Rotherham United, where he spent two years, before returning back to his native Keighley and joining Silsden.

He left after gaining an opportunity to play in New Zealand, where he played for Stopout Sports Club.

His form was so impressive he was selected to represent Kiwi FC in the Oceania Champions League Preliminaries in Samoa, where he finished the tournament as top scorer.

A return to the UK followed, and a prolific spell at Barnoldswick earned him a move to Colne, who went on to win the North West Counties League title in 2016.

Gaughan returned to Barlick to net 15 goals in 19 appearances, before taking a five-month break from football.

He then went back to Silsden and continued to fire in the goals between 2017 and 2019, before taking another break from the game.

Gaughan was in the news earlier this year, running 10 kilometres a day for 47 days straight, to raise money to support the family of his close friend Tom Marshall, who sadly died last October at the age of just 25.

He had set a fundraising goal of £500, but the campaign ended up raising an incredible £8,120.

  • Liversedge also confirmed this morning that they have retained the services of combative midfielder Joe Kenny for next season.