IN this new series, the Gazette & Herald is taking a closer look at teams of the newitts.com Beckett Football League.

This week, we caught up with Kirkdale United, who started their division one campaign slowly but are finding some form.

- Tell us a bit about your club.

The club was founded in 1934 and I would say it’s one of the oldest in the Beckett League. For 50 years, David Grayson has been a big factor in keeping the club going today. Taking up the president’s role this season, he is still a big part of the club at 91 years of age.

Kirkdale play at Nawton alongside the A170.

- How is your season going?

We had a poor first fixture, losing 4-0 to Ryedale, which set the tone for the opening four games, where we failed to get any points.

However, after gaining a more consistent side, we found a bit of form with two wins and a draw from our next four fixtures and were looking good going into lockdown.

- And your most recent match?

The last game was a 5-2 win against Thornton reserves in the cup, where Kirkdale looked a very good outfit, with four goals from striker Dan Ward.

- What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?

Kirkdale have ambitions to get top four after a bad start to the campaign but have eyes on breaking into the top two in the future.

- Tell us about your manager.

Phil Ward is undoubtedly the most committed man in football on and off the pitch. He has been at the club nine years.

Ward started out at Kirkdale as a player and captained the side to a famous treble in 2015, taking home the Hospital Cup, the Panasonic Cup and the division two crown.

He has been in his role five years now and has had it pretty tough - to say the least - but he has turned things around in the last year or so and the club looks to be moving in the right direction for sure.

- Who has scored your best goal so far this season?

That has to go to midfielder and captain Glen Forrester with his 25-yard outside-of-the-boot screamer that started outside the left post and swerved back into the top corner.

- Who is your most skilful player?

Number 11 Ryan Moss is by far the most skilful man in the squad, devastating defences week after week. Often compared to a young George Best, Moss is arguably one of the best wingers in the division.

- Who’s the most valuable player in the squad?

Kirkdale have many players who are match-winners and valuable to this team with the likes of Moss, Rob Galtrey, James Magson and Johnathon Wheeldon, but the team as a collective is what gives them the best chance of bringing silverware back to the club.

- Who’s the toughest player in the squad?

Player-manager Ward is known for putting his head where it hurts and is often known for sporting a head bandage.

- Who’s the best young player in the squad?

Thomas Hepton was signed from Easingwold Town at 16 and is currently in his second season with the team. ‘Old head on young shoulders’ is often the compliment paid to the youngster, but Hepton is much more than that - each game he shows his quality wherever he plays.

This kid can score goals, create chances and also play a role in the back four and he has a bright future ahead of him.

- Finally, tell us a funny story.

Pretty much all the funny stories from Kirkdale involve veteran Jonno Wheeldon. Whether it’s on a night out or singing on table-tops - he’s involved.

His funniest moment, however, has to be the time he forgot to check his mirrors and reversed over the clubs water bottles and completely smashed the lot.