CROWD favourite Joe Gaughan is back with Silsden after a three-year absence.

The prolific striker has agreed to rejoin the Cobbydalers for the 2017/18 season, having enjoyed a successful second stint with neighbours Barnoldswick Town in the early part of the campaign just ended.

Gaughan started his career at Rotherham United where he spent two years before returning back to his native Keighley and joining Silsden.

He left after gaining an opportunity to play in New Zealand, where he played for Stopout Sports Club. His form was so impressive he was selected to represent Kiwi FC in the Oceania Champions League Preliminaries in Samoa, where he finished the tournament as top scorer.

A return to the UK followed and a prolific spell at Barnoldswick earned him a move to Colne, who went on to win the North West Counties League title in 2016.

Gaughan returned to Barlick last season where he scored 15 in goals in 19 appearances before taking a five-month break from football.

Now the striker is looking forward to joining up with his new team as Silsden look to challenge for promotion back to the top flight under Danny Forrest.

The Cobbydalers boss has already laid foundations, with a host of last season's squad having pledged their future to the club for the campaign ahead.

They include Matty Moses, Chris Wademan, skipper Josh Kaine, Mark Trueman, Josh Eastwood, keeper Callum Jakovlevs, Danny Bunch, Nicky McNally, Mark Everingham, Charlie Holt, Sammy Lee, Tom Henderson and Danny Vincent.

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