FC SPORTING Keighley manager Faruk Ali has stepped down from the helm after guiding the club to their fourth successive promotion.

His side will play in the Premier Division for the first time this coming season after moving up through the Craven League but Ali, who wants to spend more time with his young family, will be replaced by veteran goalkeeper Abid Zaman. He will be assisted by fellow long-term club members Abbas Ali and Muniz Nazir.

Last season started poorly for FC Sporting after wholesale changes, which saw players such as Aaran Abbas, Zain Abbas, Junaid Taj and Zeby Hussain pursue new pastures away from the club.

New player/manager Ali was forced to play many of the club's youngsters as Sporting only collected four points from their first six games to sit bottom of Divison One.

The turning point came with a 3-2 cup win over Division Four side Otley Town in late September. It coincided with three major signings in Alhassaine Keita and Shahzad Khan, as well as veteran goalkeeper Abid Zaman returning.

This morale-boosting victory kick-started a remarkable string of results that saw Sporting win 15 of their next 17 games.

Promotion was ultimately secured with a 1-1 draw against Embsay thanks to a late Habib Aslam volley.

The club thanks players, management and fans for their efforts and are especially grateful to sponsors Shans Supermarket and BCA for their continued backing.

With the new campaign fast approaching, FC Sporting are looking for new players to strengthen the squad. Pre-season training is on Tuesdays (7pm-9pm) and Thursdays (9pm-10pm). For further information, contact club secretary Amar Zaman on 07833-955494.

Awards for season 2015-16 – Players' player: Alhassaine Keita; Manager's player: Shahzad Khan; C; Young player: Mohammed Hussain; Most valuable person: Amar Zaman.