Pickering Town are hoping to follow former adversaries Farsley Celtic by climbing up the football ladder as quickly as possible.

The Pikes were playing Conference new boys Farsley regularly in the Northern Counties East League before the Throstle Nest side stepped up.

Now, following Farsley's 4-3 Conference North play-off final victory against Hinckley United on Monday, the Leeds-based minnows will take on York City next season.

Pickering chairman Tony Dunning believes there is no reason why the Mill Lane outfit should not harbour similar ambitions and is looking to employ a commercial manager with that target in mind.

The new role would be commission based and suit somebody with a selling background who is looking to work on a part-time basis.

Dunning said: "Farsley were with us not so long ago. I know their chairman and they have really pushed on but I don't see any reason why we can't do the same if we get the finance in.
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"We need to push on now because we have become a bit stuck as a club. I've been taking care of the commercial side of things for the last ten years but I'm 63 now and, even though we do quite well with sponsorship, I feel there's more potential out there that a fresh face with new ideas could capitalise on and make a difference."

Promotion next season would also be geographically beneficial to Pickering, who have seen the make up of the Northern Counties East League change in recent seasons.

But, in order to gain acceptance into the UniBond League, the Pikes would need to make ground improvements as well as securing a top-three place next term.

Dunning is hoping that extra revenue raised by the appointment of a commercial manager would resolve the off-pitch obstacle, saying: "There are more and more teams from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire joining the NCEL while the UniBond has clubs like Wakefield, Harrogate Railway, Goole and Bridlington.

"We would get a few more derbies and I'm quite happy we could survive in the UniBond with the team we have got and the players we can attract but our facilities are not up to scratch.

"We need a fence between the cricket and football fields, more seats, outside toilets and a covered walkway. They are not major things but they all require money."

Dunning believes that former York City winger and long-serving Pikes player Mark Wood is the right appointment as manager to take the club to the next level.

Wood, 34, took over the managerial reins from Alex Mathie midway through last season and guided the team to a final finish of ninth.

About the job he has done so far, chairman Dunning said: "He's been very good. We are really pleased with him and we have got the right man.

"He's settled into the job and knows a lot of players around York. We've also got a good Under-19 team. Three or four of them have progressed and not looked out of place in the first team and I'm sure they will get their chance next season.

"We want local players because that attracts local people and we only get gates of 100."

The club are also looking for a general secretary for next season and anybody interested in that role or the commercial manager position should contact Tony Dunning on 01751 472627 or 473697.