Silsden will be under the guidance of former centre back Michael Rosser when they travel to high-flying Runcorn Linnets in the North West Counties Premier Division on Saturday.

Rosser, who also played up front for the Cobbydalers when they first made their way onto the non-league ladder, is filling in for two men who managed the club throughout his playing days.

Current manager Andy Geary is away, while his assistant Paul Schofield has a prior engagement with Blackburn Rovers, where he coaches in the youth set-up at the Lancashire Championship outfit.

Cobbydalers’ spokesman Jim Rosser, who is Michael’s father, said: “We have just turned to two ex-players because of the circumstances. Michael and another one of the old stagers will be in charge on a one-off basis and let’s hope their experience helps.

“We have lost James Nettleton and Andy Lee, two of our older heads, to Barnoldswick Town. We have missed ‘Nets’ at the back because the young lads used to take guidance from him. Scott Hanson has come in and he looks to have potential.

“It will be difficult against a side like Runcorn, though, we could do with a run of games against clubs near to us in the table but we still have a chance of climbing up the table before the end of the season.”