Ilkley Town AFC are preparing to play football at the highest level in their entire history this season. The 2015/16 Wharfedale District Cup winners, will play at step 7 in the national football pyramid after been promoted into the West Yorkshire League Premier Division.

The management team of Simon Armstrong and Greg Beswick have been working hard behind the scenes to further improve a squad that has seen many of last seasons players return once again. The additions to the squad include former Otley Town duo Dan Chadwick and Harry Higgins along with Iain Blackburn and Aidan Mower, who both respectively bring step 5 and 6 experience to the already talented squad. There is also the return of midfielders Ben Greenhow and Gareth Pickup who both return to the club after having a break from the game. Manager Armstrong is especially pleased with how the squad is shaping up.
'The players have shown fantastic commitment right from the very first training session' he said. 'The retention of the majority of last seasons squad, with the additions of a number of quality new signings, gives us real strength in depth. The competition for places will make the squad competitive and challenging. There is plenty of excitement in the club for the season ahead'. Once again, Dave Houlston will be head coach. Dave has played a huge part at the football club overseeing the club's adventure for 15 years. He will be vital in enhancing the development of the players in order to keep the club moving forwards.

So far in pre season, Town have played Knaresborough Town, Otley Town, Golcar United and Nostell Miners Welfare, winning 3 out of 4. Knaresborough posed a tough first pre season fixture as Ilkley performed well to put themselves into a 2-1 lead with just under 10 minutes to go. However Knaresborough were eventual winners with a very late come back, winning the match 3-2. The following game saw Ilkley play a very new Otley Town side who were playing their first game together. Ilkley came out as 5-0 winners and performed well giving away few chances. Up next was a midweek trip away to Golcar United. The opposition proved to give them a very good workout as it was left to a late James Turland goal to grab a 1-0 win. Finally a game at home to Graham Nicholas' Nostell followed. Nostell, a side looking to get promotion back to step 5 this season following their relegation from the Northern Counties East Premier League last season, brought the kind of challenge Ilkley will be facing in their new division. The game was a very close fought contest with Ilkley having the majority of the chances in the game. Danny Henderson and Adam Davey both putting the ball in the net to see Town win the game 2-0. Joe Hendrie took the man of the match award after a very impressive performance, bossing the middle of midfield.

Next up for Ilkley Town is South Cave United at home on Saturday the 30th of July, 1.30pm kick off at Ben Rhydding Sports Club (IGS pitches).