SILSDEN manager Danny Forrest is eyeing more consistency for next season, with some successful second teamers in line for the step up.

The club’s West Yorkshire League side have performed well in league and cup this term, and Forrest has been keeping an eye on them, especially with the firsts having finished their own campaign earlier this month.

He said: “I’ve had a good chat with Luke Lavery, one of their managers, about who could step up.

“We would want to see a model where they can prove their worth by moving up to the firsts.

“There’s a couple who we’re very interested in bringing up, but we’ll see how the next few weeks go for them with their season still going on.”

Some young talents have already shone in the firsts this season, like Lewis Gartland and Lewis Gardner, both previously part of Bradford City’s Football Development Programme.

Forrest said: “Working with youth players and seeing them flourish is something I’m passionate about.

“We’ve provided opportunities now over the last five or six years to teenagers, developing them.

“Both Lewis’ have impressed here and by exposing them to first team football, they can improve and try and keep on their journey.

“At our level, if you don’t have the biggest budget, you often pick up those young hungry players who’ve left say Guiseley, Halifax and Harrogate.”

As for others in the squad, striker Ant Brown returned to Silsden before the end of the season, and Forrest said: “Ant is a very good number nine, who’s got a bit of everything and is a nightmare for defenders, but I like his attitude even more.

“I’ve had positive talks with him for next year and we’re sitting and chatting with the lads now.

“We did a lot of good business in the season, bringing the likes of Ant, Jos Bradshaw and Finn Donovan in, and we won’t be looking to make wholesale changes for next year, just looking at improving certain areas.”

Brad Riley was one of Silsden’s best players in 2021/22, a regular after recovering from a ruptured ACL .

Asked if that could act as inspiration to Josh Kaine, with the Silsden skipper missing the whole of this season with a dislocated ankle and broken leg, Forrest said: “We hope Josh could end up like Brad, though my understanding is he needs another procedure.

“He came back and trained with us towards the end of the season and there were times we missed him, so he’d be valuable for us in our set-up.

“As for Brad, he joined us ahead of this season and just needed someone to put a bit of faith in him after his injury and a tough time.

“He’s had a great season, and anyone at this club can use him as an example.

“He’s helped us show Silsden is a great environment to play football in.”

But despite individuals standing out, Silsden only finished 13th, with one win in their last 11 league games.

Forrest said: “I’ve spoken many times to you and the word that comes up most is consistency.

“We had a season of four parts almost, where we did well and tailed off, then did the same again.

“We’ve competed with top teams and been on good runs, so we just need to improve our on pitch mentality now and take it into the new season.”