THACKLEY’S manager Pat McGuire did not express great enthusiasm for the West Riding County Cup at the start of the season, but after his side were denied the chance of a thrilling home semi-final showdown with Farsley Celtic, he admitted to being immensely disappointed.

The West Riding County FA have confirmed that all of their cup competitions have been scrapped for the season as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, with the decision also affecting the likes of West Bowling (West Riding County FA Sunday Cup finalists) and Silsden Ladies (West Riding County Women’s Football League Shield finalists).

And McGuire feels the Farsley cancellation is a real shame for his Thackley side, both from a footballing and financial standpoint.

He said: “It would have been great. Aside from the fact it would have been nice to maybe get to a final, the fact we’d have been playing a team from three leagues higher than us would have meant a bigger gate and finances coming in.

“It would have been a real test against a top side we know well, because we always get a good hiding from them in pre-season!

“But we need that, as it allows us to identify gaps in the playing squad. We tend to get run into the ground by them, but I respect that, as it shows they always want to come and play full throttle for the 90 minutes.

“It would have been one hell of a tough game but one we’d have thoroughly enjoyed.

“Guiseley (who were already in the final) only had one game left to play and us or Farsley would have had two, so it would have been nice to fit it in, as I know teams wanted the County Cup to be finished.

“But in the grand scheme of things, you’ve got to look at the bigger picture. We’ve suspended all activity at the club and aren’t coming into train, as player safety is paramount.”

The West Riding FA have announced that all teams still involved in the various county cups at the time of cancellation will receive free entry into next season's competitions.