A LEAGUE which contains several Bradford district football clubs has appointed its first-ever general manager.

The Toolstation Northern Counties East Football League have given secretary Matt Jones the position on a full-time basis.

Albion Sports, Eccleshill United, Silsden, Thackley and Campion all play in the league.

Jones will begin his new role on September 1.

He said: "I'm now entering my sixth season with the League and, after a steep initial learning curve, I've really grown to enjoy the job.

"I'm truly honoured to have a chance to take the role even further with an offer from the Board to make my position full time and I thank Chairman Brian Jones and the Board for giving me this opportunity."

Chairman Brian Jones added: "The Board of Directors are delighted with this appointment which will make the league even more professional than before and we hope to have a long and successful relationship with Matt."

15 years ago, Jones began his non-league journey following a visit to watch the newly formed Louth Town team in the Central Midlands League.

He says: "It sparked my interest in semi-professional football, a love of the non-league game that has continued to blossom ever since."

Jones was on the committee at Brigg Town in the Northern Premier League before taking the secretary's job at Cleethorpes Town.

The club powered through the NCEL Premier Division in the 2016-17 season, winning the division with 108 points, a record that still stands today.

During this record-breaking season, he was offered the job as League Secretary for the following season, replacing the retiring Brian Gould.

Jones added: "There's no better place to bow out as a Club Secretary than Wembley Stadium and I was fortunate enough to be able to do this in the FA Vase Final of 2017, despite losing the game 4-0 to South Shields - memories were made that will last a lifetime."