STEETON are looking to build on an encouraging season when they start their new West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division campaign at home to DRAM Community on Saturday (2.30pm).

The club finished third in the top flight in 2016-17 and also made semi-final appearances in the League Cup and West Riding County FA Challenge Cup.

With two more home games on the trot to come - Route One Rovers on Wednesday (6.30pm) and Lepton Highlanders the following Saturday - the Chevrons are hoping to hit the ground running.

Steeton have had a mixed pre-season after taking in some tough games against the likes of Colne, Bacup Borough and Thackley.

Manager Roy Mason said: “I have been delighted with the attitude of the players. They have really bought into what we are trying to do and have worked extremely hard in the process. We have worked very closely with NR Gym in Keighley and the sessions they have put on have been fantastic.

“With regard to pre-season games, I purposely wanted to test us against sides at a higher level in order for us to get the experience of playing better teams and also for us to see where we are as a club when facing them.

"I felt that we did very well against Bacup and Thackley and in fairness Colne (who won 6-1) were then a step up from what we had played. You can see why they are one of the favourites for promotion from the Evo-Stik League Division One North."

Steeton have added a couple of new faces in Rory Judd and Tom Baker and Mason is still on the lookout for further additions.

He said: "There are a couple of positions that I would like to strengthen in, but it’s not easy as there are not the players out there that there used to be and we are reliant on youth and bringing players through."

The club have started a new under-19 side that will play at UAK in mid-week and Mason paid tribute to manager Pete Jeffrey, who has single-handedly sorted everything out.

“I see this as a great move for the club and one that should help us attract the best under-19 players in the area.

"It gives them the opportunity to pit their wits against other non-league sides in the area and gain vital experience. Hopefully we can then integrate these players into the reserves and then the first team."

Ben Clarkson, who scored Steeton's consolation goal against Colne, is already a product of this pathway and has impressed Mason in pre-season.

The club will also continue to run an under-18 side, which Joe Bryceland will manage on Sundays.

Steeton are also looking to strengthen off the field. Mason said: "We need to strengthen our coaching staff and we are looking for an assistant manager for our reserves (who start away to Golcar Reserves on Saturday) to help Andy Foster in developing the younger players.

"We are also looking for another body to join myself and assistant Adam Smith with the first team to help with pre match warm-up and other first-team duties.

"We are always looking at other volunteers and even just more people to come and support as we look to push the club forward."

Anyone interested can contact Roy via email mason@steetonafc.co.uk.