STEETON have announced their pre-season friendly schedule which includes clashes with Thackley and Liversedge.

The Chevrons start their pre-season campaign on July 4 with a trip to West Yorkshire side Field AFC, before a home game with Thackley, who Steeton knocked out of the County Cup last year, two days later.

They then face two West Yorkshire sides in Kirk Deighton on July 13 and Salts three days later.

On July 20 Steeton host Barnoldswick Town in the first of an annual pre-season trophy game when the sides will play for the first Archie Airdrie Trophy.

Airdrie, who died in December 2017, was a former player and committee member of Steeton for a number of years and his son, Stewart, is the chairman of Barnoldswick Town. They then finish their campaign with a trip to NEC side Liversedge on July 30.

The proceeds of the game will be donated to Airedale Hospital Oncology Department. The game, as with all Steeton's pre-season clashes, will be played at Summerhill Lane.

Steeton have also been boosted by the fact that last years leading scorer, Andy Briggs, has committed himself to the club for 2019/20.

Manager Roy Mason said: "Andy did superbly well for us last season and attracted the attention of a number of clubs.

"He managed 20 goals for us last season, despite missing the remainder of the season with an injury from January and he is a big player for us.

"I am delighted that he has again shown his commitment to us and believes in what we are trying to do at the club.

Mason and his backroom staff are working hard behind the scenes to bring in some new faces to what was a small and inexperienced squad.

He added: "I think that we tired a little bit in the second half of the season and as a consequence our results tailed of a little bit.

"We need to bring in a few new faces to give us a bit more quality in certain areas.

"I would like to add a bit of experience to the squad as at times last year our game management maybe cost us and that's something we need to address."

Mason is also excited by the new reserves set up and feels that it would be an excellent opportunity for young players in the area.

He said: "I have spoken to David Cope on a regular basis throughout pre-season and I am excited by the plans he has for our reserve team next term.

"He is looking at bringing in the best young players in the area and working with them to push them towards North West Counties football.

"Keighley has a lot of young talented players that maybe drop out of the game at 16/17 for various reasons, but we need to tap into this talent and look to progress the best young players in the area."

Steeton first-team: Thursday, July 4: Field AFC Away; Saturday, July 6: Thackley Home; Saturday, July 13: Kirk Deighton (a); Tuesday, July 16: Salts (h); Saturday, July 20: Barnoldswick (h); Tuesday, July 30: Liversedge (a).

Steeton reserves: Saturday, July 27: Oxenhope (a); Saturday, August 3: Campion Reserves (h); Saturday; August 10: Grassington (a); Wednesday, August 14: Bingley Town (h).