Match Preview: Silsden AFC vs Bootle FC
By Brendan Doyle
Bootle make a second trip to West Yorkshire in the 2026/27 campaign for a second FA Trophy fixture after walking away from Liversedge with a dominant 5-0 win, as we take on Silsden AFC in the second qualifying round of the competition. The Bucks visit the Regional Interiors Stadium for a second time in twelve months, with the last occasion ending in a 0-0 draw in first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup, Bootle won the replay 4-2 at home the following Tuesday.
Bootle have had nothing short of a magnificent start to the Northern Premier League Division One West with five wins in five games, also, as mentioned a recent dominant 5-0 away victory at Liversedge in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy. Despite an exit from the Emirates FA Cup by way of a 1-0 home defeat to Northwich Victoria in an extra preliminary round replay. Alan Morgan would certainly enjoy a cup run despite flying in the league table and another win in West Yorkshire this season will keep them ambitions alive.
It would be safe to say Silsden AFC have had a rocky start to their league campaign so far after only earning six points in six games with their only win being a 2-1 victory at home against Blyth Spartans in mid August, however, The Cobbydalers find themselves still in the FA Trophy after defeating Consett AFC 3-2 at home. Last season Silsden got as far as a replay in the third qualifying round of the competition as they faced Stockbridge Park Steels but were unfortunately defeating by way of a penalty shoot out, this would be the club’s first run in the competition but this year they will be hoping to better it.
Club History
Silsden AFC is one of the oldest football clubs in the Keighley and Craven area, with its roots dating back to 1883, when the club was founded by Irish doctor Dr John Purcell. The club officially became an association football club in September 1904, adopting Keighley Road as its home, a ground it has retained for more than 120 years.
The club enjoyed early success, winning the Keighley Charity Cup in its first season and claiming its first league title in 1909. The 1930s brought another golden period, including the Airedale & Craven League title in 1931-32 and a number of local cup successes.
Silsden enjoyed further success during the 1950s and 1970s. The 1955-56 season was particularly memorable as the club completed a treble of the Wharfedale League, League Cup and Keighley Cup. The early 1970s saw Silsden become the first Keighley-area side to win the West Riding County Amateur Premier Division, although the decade was also marked by several controversial league expulsions.
After the Saturday team folded in 1988, Silsden spent several years without a senior Saturday side. The club was reformed in 1996-97, beginning a remarkable rise through the divisions. By 2003-04, Silsden had won the West Riding County Cup three consecutive times and secured another league title before entering the football pyramid in 2004.
Silsden joined the North West Counties Football League Division One in 2004-05 and immediately won promotion to the Premier Division. They remained at that level for a decade before relegation in 2016. The club bounced back spectacularly in 2017-18, winning the NWCFL First Division with a record 103 points, 110 goals and 18 consecutive league victories.
Following a move into the Northern Counties East League, Silsden continued to progress. In 2024-25, the Cobbydalers won the NCEL Premier Division, securing the biggest promotion in the club’s history into the Northern Premier League for the 2025-26 season.
From its nineteenth-century beginnings to reaching Step 4 football, Silsden AFC’s history has been built on local success, periods of adversity and repeated comebacks. The club’s nickname, “The Cobbydalers,” is now attached to a club that has firmly established itself as one of the prominent sides in West Yorkshire non-league football.
Form Guide:
West Auckland 3 Silsden AFC 0, August 25th 2026
Silsden AFC 3 Consett AFC 2, August 29th 2026
Silsden AFC 0 Stockbridge Park Steels 0, August 31st 2026
Matlock Town 2 Silsden AFC 2, September 5th 2026
Bradford Park Avenue 2 Silsden AFC 0, September 8th 2026
Manager:
Matt Cavanagh and Paul Maltby form the joint-management team at Silsden AFC, overseeing the Cobbydalers as they continue to establish themselves in the Northern Premier League Division One East.
Cavanagh has played a significant role in Silsden’s recent rise. After becoming involved with the club’s development setup, he helped nurture young players before moving into senior management. His work with the club’s first team has coincided with one of the most successful periods in Silsden’s history, culminating in the NCEL Premier Division title in 2024/25 and promotion to Step 4 of the National League System for the first time.
Cavanagh’s managerial credentials were further recognised during Silsden’s first Step 4 campaign, when he was named the Northern Premier League’s Step 4 Manager of the Month for October 2025 after guiding the side from the bottom of the division to 16th, collecting 11 points from 15 and recording three consecutive clean sheets.
Paul Maltby joined Cavanagh in the dugout as part of Silsden’s next stage of development. Together, the pair have the task of building on the club’s rapid progression while competing against considerably larger and better-funded clubs at Step 4. Their first season at this level ultimately ended in success, with Silsden finishing 17th in 2025/26 and securing their place in the division for another season.
The management team have therefore become an important part of Silsden’s modern story, combining player development, organisation and a clear emphasis on adapting to the demands of higher-level non-league football. With the club now established at Step 4, Cavanagh and Maltby face the challenge of taking the Cobbydalers forward while maintaining the identity and ambition that have driven their rise.
Key Player:
Welsh forward Jake Cassidy, born on 9 February 1993 in Glan Conwy, has enjoyed a long and varied career across the Welsh and English football pyramid. A tall, powerful striker, Cassidy first made a name for himself with Llandudno Junction, scoring an impressive 28 goals in 32 appearances during the 2009/10 season.
His goalscoring form earned him a move to Airbus UK Broughton, where his performances quickly attracted the attention of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves signed Cassidy in 2010, giving him his first taste of professional football. He subsequently gained valuable experience with a number of clubs, most notably Tranmere Rovers, where he scored five goals in his first ten appearances during an initial loan spell.
Cassidy went on to represent Notts County, Southend United, Oldham Athletic, Guiseley, Hartlepool United, Maidstone United, Maidenhead United, Stevenage, York City and Darlington, making well over 100 appearances in the Football League during his career. He also returned to Guiseley before moving into the Northern Premier League and eventually joining Silsden AFC.
Cassidy is also a former Wales youth international, earning caps for both the Wales U19 and U21 sides.
At Silsden, Cassidy has brought a wealth of experience from the professional game and has continued to be an important presence within the squad. His experience at Football League and National League level makes him one of the more experienced players in the Silsden ranks, while his physical presence and ability to contribute in attacking areas remain valuable assets to the side.
His journey from scoring goals in Welsh grassroots football to playing professionally for clubs such as Wolves and Tranmere before eventually arriving at Silsden is a testament to the longevity and resilience required to forge a career in football.
Last Five Seasons:
Northern Premier League Division One East 2025/26
Northern East Counties League Premier Division 2024/25
Northern East Counties League Premier Division 2023/24
Northern East Counties League Premier Division 2022/23
Northern East Counties League Premier Division 2021/22
Fact File:
Founded: 1904
Nicknames: The Cobbydalers
Ground: The Regal Interiors Stadium
Capacity: 1,500
Recent Honours:
Northern East Counties League Premier Division Champions 2024/25
Non League To Pro:
Ben Whitfield
Steve Lampkin
Jake Cassidy
