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New manager unveiled at Keighley Town
23rd May, 2026
Keighley Town - the new name for Macron NCEL Premier Division club Eccleshill United from the 2026/27 season - have announced former professional Des Hazel as their new manager for the forthcoming campaign.
Joining him will be Bradford City legend Ces Podd, Roger Eli and Liam McNicol and boast 1000 league appearances and international caps between them.
Des enjoyed his playing career at Sheffield Wednesday, Grimsby, Rotherham and Chesterfield, and also includes high profile coaching roles at Bradford City, FC Halifax Town and several semi-professional clubs.
With four international caps to his name, he comes with a wealth of experience which is second to none at this level.
Chairman Charlie Wysocki said: "When I met Des it was clear that he was the perfect fit for us as we were looking for someone with the same vision and passion as the Board, and to have such a high profile manager at the helm shows how serious we are to making Keighley Town a force on the non-league scene."
Ces still holds the record number of appearances for Bradford City and his career spanned over eighteen years with spells at Halifax Town, Scarborough and Ossett Town. At Scarborough, he played under Neil Warnock and secured promotion to the Football League whilst with them.
He also played internationally for St Kitts and Nevis, and his role will also include linking the club with players from within the Caribbean countries.
Roger’s career spanned over ten clubs which included Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crewe Alexandra, while he was an integral player in Burnley’s championship winning side in 1991/92 and became a cult hero at Turf Moor.
Liam McNicol comes with vast experience of local football and will be a much needed asset of identifying talent for the team.
Wysocki added: "We have a coaching team that have a thousand professional league appearances between them and all four bring different qualities to the club but, most importantly, they all have the same vision of having a successful Keighley Town side.
Our aim is to give the players the best possible chance to develop, improve and be successful, and we have done this with the team we have in place.
"It was key to get the right people at the helm. With Des, Roger, Ces and Liam we have done that.”
On his appointment Hazel said: “When I first met the owners Ryan O’Neill, Kaue Garcia and Charlie, I was so impressed with the plans and vison they have for the club – on and off the field – and it matched my own ambitions.
"The facilities at the club will be un-matched in this area and these opportunities do not come around too often.
"The decision was an easy one and my team are looking forward to the exciting journey ahead."
The club will be holding open training sessions in June and organising pre-season friendlies prior to the opening game of the season on July 25th, 2026.
Photo (l-r): Liam McNicol, Charlie Wysocki, Des Hazel, Roger Eli, and Ces Podd.
Joining him will be Bradford City legend Ces Podd, Roger Eli and Liam McNicol and boast 1000 league appearances and international caps between them.
Des enjoyed his playing career at Sheffield Wednesday, Grimsby, Rotherham and Chesterfield, and also includes high profile coaching roles at Bradford City, FC Halifax Town and several semi-professional clubs.
With four international caps to his name, he comes with a wealth of experience which is second to none at this level.
Chairman Charlie Wysocki said: "When I met Des it was clear that he was the perfect fit for us as we were looking for someone with the same vision and passion as the Board, and to have such a high profile manager at the helm shows how serious we are to making Keighley Town a force on the non-league scene."
Ces still holds the record number of appearances for Bradford City and his career spanned over eighteen years with spells at Halifax Town, Scarborough and Ossett Town. At Scarborough, he played under Neil Warnock and secured promotion to the Football League whilst with them.
He also played internationally for St Kitts and Nevis, and his role will also include linking the club with players from within the Caribbean countries.
Roger’s career spanned over ten clubs which included Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crewe Alexandra, while he was an integral player in Burnley’s championship winning side in 1991/92 and became a cult hero at Turf Moor.
Liam McNicol comes with vast experience of local football and will be a much needed asset of identifying talent for the team.
Wysocki added: "We have a coaching team that have a thousand professional league appearances between them and all four bring different qualities to the club but, most importantly, they all have the same vision of having a successful Keighley Town side.
Our aim is to give the players the best possible chance to develop, improve and be successful, and we have done this with the team we have in place.
"It was key to get the right people at the helm. With Des, Roger, Ces and Liam we have done that.”
On his appointment Hazel said: “When I first met the owners Ryan O’Neill, Kaue Garcia and Charlie, I was so impressed with the plans and vison they have for the club – on and off the field – and it matched my own ambitions.
"The facilities at the club will be un-matched in this area and these opportunities do not come around too often.
"The decision was an easy one and my team are looking forward to the exciting journey ahead."
The club will be holding open training sessions in June and organising pre-season friendlies prior to the opening game of the season on July 25th, 2026.
Photo (l-r): Liam McNicol, Charlie Wysocki, Des Hazel, Roger Eli, and Ces Podd.
(Story Source: Eccleshill United)
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