Farsley AFC sign Bradford (Park Avenue) pair Aiden Savory and Matty James

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

With just over 24 hours until the prestigious Leeds United friendly at Throstle Nest, Farsley AFC have completed the signings of Bradford (Park Avenue) duo Aiden Savory and Matty James.

Powerful striker Savory is the pick of the two as he has an impressive record of goals in the Northern Premier League following spells at Ossett Town and Avenue (twice).

Savory, who also had a very brief period with Harrogate Town at the start of the 2010-11 campaign, has played in Australia and appeared for Goole against Farsley in February after arriving back from down under.

He saw the remainder of last season out at Avenue in the Conference North, but has decided to join Farsley, much to the delight of AFC boss Neil Parsley.

“Aiden knows a lot of the players down here anyway, but it did take some persuading because a player of Aiden’s ability and reputation probably warrants playing at a higher standard,” he said.

“He is a no-nonsense honest player. He played for Goole against us last year and gave us a hard time. He is well-known throughout the non-league circuit in Yorkshire and I think he will provide the power up front.

“When Ben Jones got injured at the start of last season we missed his hold-up play so we didn’t retain possession for long which meant we weren’t able to play high up and squeeze the play.

“I think he will hold the ball up, like Lee Ellington will do, and that will put teams under more sustained pressure that we weren’t able to do last season because of the type of players we had.

“His work ethic rubs off on other players as well as he never gives defenders a minute’s rest. When that happens, mistakes happen.”

Parsley is also pleased to have playmaker James back at Throstle Nest.

James played for the old club Celtic during the 2008-09 campaign before a brief loan spell at the end of last season.

“I like Matty, he’s an off-the-cuff player, but he can make things happen,” he said.

“He does things that other players can’t. He had a stop-start season last year due to a back injury and other little niggles, but he has worked hard like all the other players have during pre-season.

“Hopefully his fitness levels will be higher going into the start of the season.”