Silsden F.C.

Silsden

Full name	Silsden Association Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Cobbydalers
Founded	1904
Ground	Keighley Road Stadium Keighley Road, Silsden West Yorkshire BD20 0EH
Capacity	1,500
Chairman	Sean Mcnulty
Manager	Danny Forrest
League	North West Counties League Premier Division
2017–18	North West Counties League Division One, 1st of 22 (promoted)
Home colours Away colours

Silsden A.F.C. are a football club that play in Silsden, West Yorkshire, England, and are currently members of the North West Counties League Premier Division

History

The club was formed in 1904. In 2004–05, they reached the second round of the FA Vase.

They are one of only three teams ever to win the West Riding County Challenge FA Cup three years on the trot – 2001, 2002 and 2003 before joining the NWCFL the following season and gaining promotion at the first attempt into the Premier Division (along with Cammell Laird).

The other two teams to have won the West Riding CFA Challenge Cup three times on the trot were Storthes Hall (1998-2000) and Bradford Rovers (1939-41).

For the 2014–15 season; Silsden AFC fielded a Development Squad to compete in the Lancashire Galaxy League under manager Paul Evans.

Ryan Haigh was appointed first team manager for the 2015–16 season but resigned in February due to family commitments. He was replaced by former player James Gill.

Danny Forrest took over from James Gill in November 2016. His assistant is another ex-professional – Matty McNeil and is ably supported by goalkeeper coach Kevin Knappy, physio Andy Henson and fitness coach Clive Murgatroyd.

In January 2016 Silsden announced plans on their website to allow all Bradford City Season ticket holders half price admission for the remainder of the season. They have since extended this invitation to all professional clubs including local side Guiseley AFC.

For the 2017-18 season Silsden AFC entered an Under 21 team into the West Riding County FA U21 League. They have also put all their efforts into gaining promotion back to the Premier League of the NWCFL for the First Eleven.

Rivalries

Barnoldswick Town, Colne and from further afield Nelson and Padiham

Stadium

During their earlier years in the North West Counties League they played their home games at Cougar Park, home of the rugby league club Keighley Cougars. However, in early 2010 plans were put in place to upgrade their former ground in Silsden. With the help of the Football Foundation, Sports England and Asda Foundation, committee of the club, players and the generosity of sponsors and local businesses, their dream came true when they returned in time for the start of the 2010–11 season. Floodlights, a stand, new dugouts, coffee hut, pay-hut, walkway, perimeter fencing and barriers were all put in place to complement the newly erected £1.2 million Sports Club which houses 6 changing rooms, two referees' rooms, a physiotherapy room and a function room.

For the start of the 2012–13 season saw the name of stadium change to Angel Telecom Stadium following a five-year sponsor package with the Bradford-based telecommunications company.

For the 2016-17 season the stadium was renamed "The Cobbydale Construction Stadium" to coincide with a generous annual sponsorship deal by local builders Cobbydale Construction.

In 2016 the club again made ground improvements including new outside toilets and a new hospitality area named the '1904 Lounge' tracing the clubs routes back to its original formation.

In early 2017 the club built state of the art dug-outs to complement the completion of the exterior enclosure fencing.

Records

• FA Cup best performance: first qualifying round replay – 2004–05
• FA Vase best performance: second round proper – 2004–05

Honours

References

External links

• Official website
• Silsden at the Football Club History Database

Coordinates: 53°54′25″N 1°56′36″W / 53.906952°N 1.943401°W / 53.906952; -1.943401