DESPITE seeing his side finish in a record-equalling ninth place in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division, Silsden player-manager Danny Forrest is not resting on his laurels.

The former Bradford City striker is looking to bring in three or four established players to add to his squad as the Cobbydalers look for further success next year.

Silsden ended their campaign, their first following promotion from Division One, in style with a 3-2 victory over Burscough on the final day at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium.

Now Forrest is already planning for next season and although he has praised the spine of his squad following a strong season, he is busy looking for new recruits.

He summed up Silsden's season in three parts; strong start, difficult middle and strong finish. It ended with 17 wins from 38 games, six draws and 15 defeats for a 57-point final tally. He also had praise for players including defenders Josh Kaine and Dan Illingworth and striker Aidan Kirby.

Forrest said: "We need three or four players bringing in to improve and challenge the other players.

"For where we want to go we need three or four established players. to improve the squad. I just don't like having squad players.

"I have a break from training and nothing else. The planning for next year started before the season ended.

"I want most of the lads to stay. It's quite easy and that's something not having concerns about letting any of them go. We will challenge a few of them to improve and get better. It's on them.

"I feel like we are building something. These lads have shown progression.

"The season started brilliantly, with a lot of promise. It showed we can compete. We lost our way in the middle. Something did not feel right. We were struggling to react positively to defeats. Since the end of January we have improved. It stared with the result we got away at City of Liverpool. There were three parts to the season for me.

"We had the club's equal-highest league finish.

"It's in my nature, I want more. On paper it's a decent season, but I felt it could have been better.

"We have to learn how to respond to defeats. A lot of it was mental, once we got into a rut it was difficult to get out of it.

"Our job as staff is to keep supporting and guiding the players. It was tough but we got through it.

"They are a good group of lads. There is a strong togetherness. We have a good spine.

"Craig Bentham did well to play 40 games this season and be my assistant manager. I speak to him every day. Everyone has done well in their own right. They drove it and held it together."

Forrest, 34, also said he will assess his own future contributions on the pitch after heeding the advice of people being a long time retired.

He added: "I played a couple of times towards the end of the season when we got thin on the ground. I proved to myself that I can still do it at this level. I will see how I feel over the summer.

Meanwhile, Silsden have already looked to the future, joining forces with Leeds United Sports College as part of the Elite Player Development Scholarship which is open to 16-18 year olds.

An open evening will be held at Silsden on Wednesday, May 15 from 6pm where parents and students can learn more about the scholarship, and also get chance to ask any questions regarding the full two-year programme.