SILSDEN'S players are already into the third week of their pre-season schedule but Andy Geary insists they had to come back when they did.

The Cobbydalers boss said: "It is a very early start this season so we had no choice. You have to get back in and start the work as soon as you can. It seems ridiculous that the World Cup is only just at the quarter-final stage."

Silsden ended the last campaign with a very young squad but the promise was there and Geary is hoping they all stay. The boss is also looking to bring in some new faces to add some guile.

He said: "On the player front, we have the biggest part of the squad from last season together again and I'm reasonably happy with that. They have the experience from another year and we hope to build on that.

"We have got Joe Mitchell in, who was at Brighouse Town last year, and he will be an asset to the squad. He is a busy midfield player with a good eye for a pass and a lot of talent to add to his determination.

"There have been quite a few new faces around at training and we will see whether they make the grade. It is up to them because the opportunity is there for them to grasp.

"I think we were only a goal-scorer away from winning a lot of games last season, so if we get two or three people in with that ability we could really challenge this coming campaign. It's an exciting time and we are all looking forward to it."

Meanwhile, Silsden have been drawn at home to Northern League outfit Consett in the FA Cup extra preliminary round.

They will play the tie on Saturday, August 16, with the winners at home to Whickham or Bacup & Rossendale Borough in the preliminary round two weeks later.

The victors from that match will make the trip to former Football League side Workington on September 13.

Brandon United, also from the Northern League, are due to visit Silsden in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase on Saturday, September 6.

The winners will be at home to Northern Counties East League side Garforth Town on October 4.
Silsden u-18s have a home tie with Barton Town Old Boys in the FA Youth Cup preliminary round during the week of September 8, with the winners travelling to Goole in the first qualifying round.