STEETON manager Roy Mason says he wants the people of Keighley to get behind his club after it was promoted up the football pyramid.

Steeton's first-team will play their home games at Keighley Cougars' base, Cougar Park, after their promoted to the newly-formed North West Counties Hallmark Security League Division One North was confirmed by the Football Association.

The move for Steeton from West Riding County Amateur Premier Division caps off a superb season for Mason's side, after they won the West Riding County Amateur Premier Division League Cup earlier this month. They also lifted the Keighley & District FA Challenge Cup this term.

Mason said: "It's brilliant, I'm absolutely delighted. It makes all of our hard work worthwhile.

"It will be a chance for us to pit ourselves against new teams and means we can progress.

"It was getting very difficult for us to attract players. They did not want to play in the County Amateur League.

"This move also sends out a message to people in the Keighley area that we want to progress.

"The move to Cougar Park gives Keighley the opportunity to have a semi-professional football team in the town. There is a population of around 70,000 people for us to tap into.

"Our current ground was not big enough to hold us in the new division.

"You have to be looking to progress all of the time. When the opportunity for us to apply for promotion presented itself, it was too good to turn down.

"We now have to attract people into watch us. We need to attract new businesses and sponsors to get onboard. We need to get more volunteers in for matchdays.

"There is a lot of hard work ahead for us, but it is exciting.

"We want to give the people a football club they can be proud of.

"It will be non-stop over the summer as we prepare for the new season."

Mason added he will be looking to attract up to seven new players during the summer to expand his small squad and get them ready for the next level up. Steeton will also aim to be attracting footballing talent from Keighley as it progresses.

He said Steeton's groundstaff would also be working on the Cougar Park pitch as it gears up to be used all year round for both football and rugby league matches.

He also talked over the transformation of the club over his 16-year association with Steeton, first as a player, then a manager.

Mason added: "It has transformed from a village club to a semi-professional club.

"After 33 years as members of The West Riding County Amateur League we feel that the time is now right for the club to make the progression to the next level.

"This is a very exciting time for the club and we would urge both local business and the people of Keighley to get behind us and support this new venture.

"We would like to thank everyone who has worked hard behind the scenes to make this happen and we look forward to working with Keighley Cougars to provide Keighley with two sporting teams that they can be proud of."

Steeton's reserve, Under-18s and newly-formed u16s teams will all continue to play at Summerhill Lane.

Any companies or individuals who want to get involved can email Mason at mason@steetonafc.co.uk