A 16-PAGE illustrated newspaper telling the story of Silsden at the outbreak of the First World War has been produced by the town's football club.

It includes a report of the Cobbydalers in the 1914 Keighley and District Cup, which the team won, and a history of Silsden AFC.

The Silsden Herald is being sold at £3 and all the money raised will go to the Royal British Legion poppy appeal.

It will contain features on Dr John Purcell, the man who was responsible for the formation of the club and on the Silsden footballers who died at the front and also the skipper.

There are letters sent home by soldiers and it includes stories on the Bancrofts of Silsden, the Red Lion, Silsden Post Office and Jackson's Taxis, articles on clog making and textiles and the 1912 Silsden Police Station riot.

The club is holding a special Remembrance Day commemoration next Saturday, November 8, which will involve a North West Counties League match at 3pm. Silsden will wear the colours – light blue and white stripes – of the 1914 soldiers' team.

Silsden footballer Private John Gill was one of the early casualties on the first day of the battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916. The following day, two more team players, Sergeant John Baldwin and Private Stanley Wrigglesworth, were amongst the fallen.

The day will also see Silsden Town Band playing music from the First World War backed by the Rock Up and Sing Choir singing period songs.

A service will end with a rendition of the football hymn, Abide with Me.