Thackley have confirmed that Tom Greaves and Danny Forrest have been appointed as the joint managers of their Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side.

Greaves has been player-assistant manager at the club since joining in the summer of 2022 from Bury AFC and is their current top goalscorer with twenty goals already this season.

He has previous management experience at FC United of Manchester, a role which he also combined with his playing career as he continued to lead the line for the club to become their record goalscorer.

Greaves will continue in a player-manager capacity for the Dennyboys, with his position as joint manager now being made permanent, following his successful spell as interim boss after the departure of Patrick McGuire last month.

Forrest, meanwhile, will take his position alongside Greaves after leaving his role as assistant manager at Guiseley AFC in November 2022 having worked alongside manager Danny Ellis at the Northern Premier League Premier Division club.

Prior to that, Forrest was Silsden AFC’s manager in the NCEL Premier Division, a role he held for six years, leading the Cobbydalers to promotion from the North West Counties League First Division.

Prior to management, Forrest began his playing career at Bradford City where he made fifty appearances as a striker before playing for clubs including Halifax Town, Crawley Town, Barrow and Guiseley AFC.

Both Greaves and Forrest will continue to be assisted by first team players Aiden Chippendale and Kris Hargreaves who will continue in their roles as player-coaches, offering support to the new management team when required both on the pitch, on the training pitch and in the dressing room.

James Greaves will assist with training and analysis, having previously left his position as manager of Thackley's ladies team in the summer and helping the interim management team.

Physio Joe Tate will continue in his position and will work alongside Greaves, Forrest and the management team.

Chris Holland will also remain in charge of the reserve team and will work closely with Greaves and Forrest to ensure player progression into the first team.

The appointments conclude a thorough recruitment process to find a permanent successor to McGuire and the club say they received a number of high-quality applicants for the role and would like to place on record its thanks to all applicants.

Chairman Ben Oliver said: "It has been clear that since Tom has taken charge on a temporary basis that there has been a lift in the spirits around the club and especially amongst the playing squad.

"There hasn’t been a significant turnover of players in the squad, but a few tweaks to systems, shape and personnel has resulted in a noticeable change in performances and results.

"The club was mindful that this group of players went through a period of nine wins, one draw and two defeats from twelve games in September and October, and we were a big believer that this squad of players had more to offer than the current league position would suggest.

"We see the appointment of Tom, a well-liked and respected figure in the dressing room, as an appointment which will help retain and motivate our first team squad.

"It is now for Tom to continue his good work and to see us through to the end of this season and build into next season.

"We knew that, if Tom was to take the role, we would need to ensure he had a strong voice on the sidelines whenever he was on the pitch.

"We wanted to ensure we did not lose him from the playing squad by him being appointed as permanent manager so we are delighted to welcome Danny to Thackley AFC.

"Danny is one of the brightest young managers in the area and is a real asset to the club.

"From a period of uncertainty, we feel that we have secured a high-calibre management team, and it is now for us as a club to ensure that we provide Tom and Danny with the best support possible off-the-pitch to allow them to bring consistent success on it."

Greaves added: "I’m delighted to be taking on the role as joint manager with Danny and I can’t thank the club enough for putting their trust in us to take the team forward.

"Bringing Danny in was a no-brainer for me with his experience and knowledge of the game, he has been in and around these leagues as manager of Silsden AFC for a number of years and this will be a massive asset to Thackley AFC.

"It will also mean I will be able to keep playing and making myself available to the squad knowing an experienced manager will still be on the sidelines making matchday decisions.

"I’m not getting any younger and I feel the time is right for me to take this step now and concentrating on the next chapter in my football career.

"We are also very lucky to have the expertise of Aidan Chippendale and Kris Hargreaves continuing their roles as player-coaches and James Greaves coming in to help on matchdays and training and the general running of first team matters.

"We are all very excited to get the next chapter of Thackley AFC underway and hope it can be a long and successful time with the club."

Forrest said: "I’m extremely happy to be joining the club as joint manager alongside Tom and I can’t wait to get going after a short break from the game.

"Thackley are a club who I’m very familiar with and one I’ve always respected.

"Once I met Tom and he gave me a more in-depth insight into the club I was convinced this is the right opportunity at the right time.

"Tom’s playing career speaks for itself and he’s already had a taste of management higher up the ladder.

"We’ve always had a good relationship and share similar values and I’m delighted to have the chance to work closely with him and give everything to the cause.

"And, obviously the experience, knowledge and quality of Kris [Hargreaves] and Aidan [Chippendale] will prove invaluable on and off the pitch.

"I hope that my skill set, experience and work ethic will enhance what is already in place at the club.

"We’re under no illusions around the challenges ahead but the squad is very capable and the aim is to get the best out of the players and be as successful as we can in the short and long term.

"I have huge respect for previous manager Pat McGuire and the job he did in recent years and I’m sure we can build on that and push forward with a fresh impetus and new ideas."