The defender joins Tadcaster from Harrogate Railway returning to the So-Trak stadium following a brief spell in 2015.

Thirkell started out as a junior at Harrogate Railway but following relegation from the Evo-Stik, made the move to Tadcaster in 2015 spending a season with the Brewers before signing for Scarborough, then Knaresborough before a return to the Rail.

On his previous stint at Tad, hel said: They had just got promoted out of the NCEL Prem into the Evo Stick and at that point there was a huge, huge buzz around the club.

“The club really wanted to progress, move forward and up the leagues. They played really good attacking football - it was good to be a part of.”

Now at 35 Dan offers leadership and experience to a young group as well as plenty of qualities on the pitch: “I play as a centre half and bring leadership and calmness to the team. Hopefully, I instil some of that into the younger lads whilst defensively I think I am pretty solid and good on the ball, hopefully starting moves through the thirds.”

The former Railway captain speaks fondly of O’Connell, someone he is pleased to be working with again, he said: “When I signed at Railway he was one of the key factors why I initially went there and when he originally spoke to me about coming here it was a bit of a no-brainer.

“I like the style of football, I like what the management team bring as a collective, the professionalism and the way Mick wants to play football - the attractive build up from the back.

Thirkell is confident his teammates have enough to push for promotion this season and he
wants to play his part as he sets out the objectives this campaign.

“For me at the ripe old age of thirty-five! I still want to play as many games as I can and I don’t think that will change any time soon to be honest.

“I do not see why we shouldn’t be competing at the top of the table - bare minimum I’d say is the play-offs. You can see some of the quality that’s already here and there are a few other lads still to come in.

“By any stretch of the imagination I don’t see why we shouldn’t be up there and really giving it a good go of challenging again.”

Welcome Back Dan - That’s the Spirit we need here!