PETE Jeffrey, a Keighley-based business owner, has agreed to take on the role of Steeton chairman from Albert Bates, who has been at the helm in an interim position for the past two years.

Bates will now become club president, reward for many years’ service at the club during which time he has overseen the ground maintenance at Summerhill Lane and worked tirelessly in developing a pitch that is the envy of many clubs in the area.

Jeffrey is managing director of Dobson Gaskets, a long-established Keighley firm that manufacture a wide range of gaskets used by transport and process industries around the globe.

Jeffrey joined Steeton five years ago when his Under-15s team moved from Sutton Juniors to join the club.

Several of the players that he has coached have graduated to first-team football and he has coupled coaching responsibilities with increased involvement in the club’s off-field operations. Alongside his new role as chairman, Jeffrey is also the club’s head of infrastructure.

Roy Mason, first-team-manager, is delighted with the new appointment. He said: "Pete is a key part of the Steeton management team and his input and work over the past few seasons has been pivotal in helping the club achieve semi-professional status.

"I’m really pleased he has agreed to become the new chairman; he was the obvious choice for the committee members.”

Speaking about his new appointment, Jeffrey said: “I was delighted to be asked to be club chairman and I am looking forward to helping the club progress.”

With pre-season training under way and the club looking to strengthen its first-team squad ahead of the opening league fixture, work has also gone into the plan to establish a women’s football team for the 2020-21 season.

Chris Jones, Steeton’s head of media, said: “There is an obvious space for a Keighley-based women’s team.

“The response so far from the football community has been very positive.

"We’re in the process of affiliating a women’s team with the view to playing some friendlies this season before joining a league for next season.

"We’d love to hear from local footballers and coaches who are interested in joining or working with the club.”

If you are interested in getting involved in women’s football in Keighley, call Chris Jones on 07970 038849 or email chris@cwjmedia.co.uk.