Brighouse Town boss Paul Quinn hopes the transfer of teenage winger Callum Charlton to Huddersfield Town will further strengthen the bond between the clubs.
The 18-year-old was signed after an impressive season at the Northern Premier League side culminated in a successful trial with Frankie Bunn’s Town development group.
“We’re sorry to lose Callum, but it’s great to see him get his chance,” said Quinn, a lifelong Town fan and the grandson of the Championship club’s well-remembered former manager Ian Greaves.
“It’s also a feather in our cap that we have produced a player of that level, and hopefully there will be more to come over the years.”
Progressive Brighouse field a second team in the Galaxy Lancashire League and also enter the FA Youth Cup.
And Quinn, the son of ex-Emley manager Gerry, added: “We have put a lot of time and effort into our development system, and we are planning to expand it.
“Since entering the Northern Premier League (from the Northern Counties East League last year) we have spread the net a bit further in terms of recruitment.
“We are looking for talented players from across West Yorkshire, and obviously we want to make our first team as string as possible.
“But if we can play a part in progressing player’s careers and helping them reach a higher level, fantastic.
“And if we do uncover someone, like Callum, with potential, then as a Town fan, I want them to be signing them up ahead of other clubs.”
A friendly with Town Under 21s, at St Giles Road on Wednesday, July 29 (7.30), will form part of Brighouse’s build-up to the new NPL season, which starts on Saturday, August 15.
Formed in 1963 as a Huddersfield Works League side called Blakeborough’s, they finished 14th in their debut season in Division I North.
Huddersfield-based Quinn, at the helm since November 2011, has made experienced Martin Allison player-coach.
And he has brought in three new signings in forwards Danny Facey and Steve Hollingworth and centre-back Dan Illingworth.
Huddersfield’s Facey, who has played at international level for Grenada, has moved from Bradford-based NCEL side Albion Sports.
Hollingworth was the West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division’s top scorer as he rifled in 44 goals for Campion last season.
And former FC Halifax Town player Illingworth helped Field win the West Yorkshire League title.
“We’re pleased with the recruitment so far, and hopefully there are a few more to come,” said Quinn.
“I think we held our own last season, but we want to push on. We’re under no illusions as to how hard it will be, but we have a better idea of what to expect.
“The targets we have set reflect that.”
Friendlies: Friday, July 10: Eccleshill Utd (H) 7.30; Tuesday 14: FC Halifax Town (H) 7.45; Tuesday 21: Guiseley (H) 7.45; Thursday 23: Yorkshire Amateur (A) 7.45; Wednesday 29: Huddersfield Town Under 21s (7.30); Saturday, August 1: Ashton United (H) 2.00; Tuesday 4: AFC Emley (A) 7.30; Saturday 8: Basford United (A) 3.00.
