FORMER Bradford City player and manager, Peter Jackson, has lent his support to Steeton, as they look forward to playing at Marley for the 2020/21 season.

Easter Monday was due to have been Steeton’s last home game at Cougar Park, where they were scheduled to entertain Nelson.

Instead, the season has now officially been declared null and void by the FA due to the coronavirus pandemic, with Steeton still having nine games left to play in the North West Counties League First Division North.

However, they must now look forward. The FA's ground-grading deadline has been extended until July 31 (from March 31), which gives Steeton extra time to turn Marley into a facility to be really proud of.

Jackson, who hails from Keighley, is pleased to lend his support to the club.

He said: “I have followed Steeton since my time as Bradford manager, when in 2011, I took a development squad to Summerhill Lane for a pre-season friendly.

“I have been really impressed with the progress that the club has made and it’s great to see them now part of the non-league pyramid.

“The move to Marley should also help secure their future and give them a platform to continue to grow the club.

“It will also give football in Keighley a huge boost, as Marley will be a facility that will benefit everyone and give the town a football arena that has been lacking previously.

“I would hope that the people and businesses of Keighley do back it, as I know that there has been a tremendous amount of work done by a lot of people to get this project underway.

“I hope to be down at some point myself to see the new facilities and take in a Steeton game.”

Manager Roy Mason is delighted to have the backing of Jackson and said: “Peter has always been a great supporter of the club and has always been at the other end of the phone should I ever need any advice as a manager.

“It’s great to see him taking an interest in the club and in what is happening with the redevelopment of Marley.

“If the new facility can inspire some of the younger generation to follow in Peter’s footsteps into the professional game, then that would be fantastic.”