THREE footballers from the Keighley area are celebrating after helping New Zealand semi-professional team Stop Out win promotion.

Goalkeeper Mathew Everard, who played for Oakworth Juniors, Silsden and Thackley, plus midfielder Martin Packer and striker Joe Gaughan, who both played for Oakworth Juniors and Silsden, were part of the Wellington side's play-off success.

That saw them crush Wanganui Athletic 9-0 on aggregate, winning 4-0 away before an even more emphatic 5-0 home success to cruise into next year's Central League.

Gaughan won the golden boot award for scoring the most goals but it proved a bitter-sweet campaign for him as he missed the play-offs due to a long-term suspension for violent conduct.

Meanwhile, another player from Silsden's ranks, Chris Wademan, has also enjoyed success Down Under.

He spent the summer in Tasmania, playing for Riverside Olympic in the Northern Premier League.

He finished as the team’s top scorer and helped his side to second-place in the table, missing out on the title by a point, despite finishing unbeaten.

His 16-goal haul saw him in third place in the league’s top scorers table.