ANDY Geary has stepped down as Silsden manager due to work and family commitments.

The Cobbydalers committee have reluctantly accepted his resignation and put his assistant Ryan Haigh in charge.

Geary, who often works night shifts, including after midweek matches, said: "It's been on my mind since the new year. The pressure of work was getting to me and I was getting frustrated at not being able to give as much time to the team as I would have liked.

“I was full of my usual enthusiasm and fire at the beginning of the season but gradually I found the work-football-life balance a challenge.

“It seems a good time to hand over the reins as we are in a period of stability and have a good nucleus of players, whom I hope will respond to Ryan. The next step up the leagues is always the hardest.”

Geary leaves the club well established in the North West Counties League Premier Division top flight, currently sitting in 11th place. It was his second spell in charge, having returned in January 2013 to take over the reins from Chris Reape.

After steering them to safety and then consolidating last season, Geary has built a young squad which has been challenging in the top half of the table in the current campaign, raising hopes that a push for promotion can be made in the next few years.

The committee thanked Geary for his tremendous efforts, which also saw him take the club up from grassroots level to the non-league pyramid and claim County Cup success during his first spell.

Geary insists he will remain active behind the scenes at the Cobbydalers and will be happy to pass on advice to new boss Haigh if asked.

He said: "The club is in my heart and in my blood. It's been a massive part of my life and I'll be down doing jobs at the club, raising money, etc. The Cobbydalers are part of my DNA.”

Geary added: "I'll be there for Ryan but only if he asks. He is in charge now and, like me when I first started, he will make mistakes. You learn by them.

"If he wants advice my door is open but he knows the ropes and he will do things his way. I wish him well and I hope the fans give him the backing they have given me.”

Haigh will be assisted by Chris Price, whom he worked with at Padiham. His first match as new manager is at Colne tomorrow night.