NECL Ground Hop Easter 2012

Northern Counties League East - Easter 2012

Yorkshire Amateurs - were formed in 1918, early fixtures were friendly matches against Leeds FC at Elland Rd. This continued until 1920, when financial irregularities in the accounts of Leeds FC resulted in the lease for the ground being sold to a newly formed Leeds Utd for the princely sum of £250. Leeds Utd did not wish to continue with friendly matches - sounds familiar. Therefore Yorkshire Ams were forced to join the competitive West Riding League, withe club's aim to remain a realistic force to professional clubs playing in the North of England.
In 1932-33 the club reached the semi finals of the FA Amateur Cup, this included a 5-2 quarter final victory over Wimbledon. Claim to fame - Brian Deane of Sheff Utd fame started his career here.
Last season Yorkshire Ams finished third, their best position in the Northern Counties East League - however this season has been disapointing and they are involved in a relegation dogfight. It will be a shame if this "quirky" little club drop down a division.

Yorkshire Amateur

Eccleshill Utd  were formed in 1948, whereby they played in the Bradford Amateur League and the West Riding County Amateur League. In 1985, they joined the Northern Counties East League Division Three. They finished 3rd and were moved up to Division 2 when the league scrapped Division 3. Eccleshill finished 2nd in 1987 and were promoted to Division 1. Another league re-organisation moved Eccleshill up to the Premier Division in 1991, they were relegated in 1994. Eccleshill were promoted back to the Premier Division after winning the Division 1 title in 1997 and stayed there until they were relegated in 2009.
In the F A Cup, Eccleshill have never been further than the 2nd Qualifying Round, though they did win 2–1 at Northern Premier League Guiseley in 2001–02 and held another NPL side, Marine to a 2–2 draw the following season before losing the replay. In the FA Vase, Eccleshill reached the 5th Round in 1999–2000, losing to Vauxhall.

Eccleshill United

Thackley AFC - Formed in 1930 by younger members of Thackley Wesleyan Methodist  Church. Thackley are founder members of the North East Counties League, which was formed in 1982. They are the only club to have retained their premiership status - no mean feat.
They are the record holders of the Bradford & District FA Senior Cup winners 13 times - a competition record.Ian Ormondroyd the ex Villa and Oldham (just for you BIFFO) striker began his career at Thackley.

Thackley

Liversedge - play their home games at Clayborn, which features a clubhouse to the top West corner of the ground, covered seating at the North, and small covered terracing stand to the West behind the goal. Prior to the 2004–05 season the ground had a large slope from the North to the South. The pitch was dug up in closed season of 2005, and the surface was rebuilt from scratch to make a new, flat field. Liversedge had to play their first few games away for the 2005–06 season while the turf bedded in. Liversedge have been close to promotion into a higher league, including the 2005-2006 season, when they finished runners-up to Buxton and won the League Cup in addition. However, there were not sufficient facilities for promotion to the Northern Premier League, it was noted that they did not have separate changing rooms for female referees !!

Liversedge

Brighouse Town - Formed in 1963 as the representative side of Blakeborough Vale Company, following the demise of the company in 1988, they were forced to look for new sources of finances. Fortunately, the club was able to build upon the sound financial status of club and with donations from well wishers the club has  continued to survive despite the loss of their "parent" club so to speak. Bizarrely, this proved to be the most sucessful period of the club's history, promotion was gained to West Riding Premier Division and Brighouse  won the cup the West Riding Challenge Cup. The cup was won again in 1994 and the championship for a second time in 1955. In 2008/09 the club switched to semi professional status and joined the Northern East Counties League, after one season promotion was gained to the Premier Division. Their long term goal is join the Northern League.

Brighouse Town

Maltby Main - Formed in 1916, as Maltby Main FC the side of the local colliery - one of the benefit's being that a good footballer was granted employment in the colliery if represented the football club. 
They joined the Yorkshire League Division Two in 1949, and finished in 16th place out of 20 in their first season, 1949–50. The club spent six seasons in this division, with their last being 1954–55, when they finished in bottom place.The club eventually disbanded in 1965. Maltby Miners Welfare was formed in 1970 and played in the Sheffield Senior League until the 1973–74 season, joining the Yorkshire League Division Three, which they won promotion from after finishing as runner-up. They won a second promotion the following season after a fourth place finish in Division Two, but were instantly relegated back after one season in Division One.After several seasons of mid-table finishes, they again won promotion to Division One in the 1979–80 season, and were again relegated. They spent one more season in the Yorkshire League before being placed in the Northern Counties East Football League Division One (South) following the merger of the Yorkshire League and the Midland League.
The 1999–96 season saw Maltby reach their lowest ever position in the Premier Division, when they finished 19th out of 20. In mid-1996, they split from the Miners Welfare and decided to revert the club name to Maltby Main. The following season saw the club have two points deducted, meaning they finished with 28, and avoiding relegation only on goal difference. Despite finishing the 1999–2000 season in mid-table, the club were relegated to Division One as they were not able to afford hardstanding around the ground's pitch.

Maltby Main

Staveley Miners Welfare FC - are a very ambitous club - as you can see from the photographs - the ground would not look out of place in the Conference League. There aim is to reach level 3 of football in the next two years - that is Evostick Northern Division 1 - a sticky  affair!
This season that they just missed on a Wembley final in the FA Vase by losing 2-1 to Dunston UTS in extra time - which was watched by a record crowd of 1,050. Apparently, there was some crowd after the game, instigated by the victors Dunston apparaently. Staveley are going well in the league, and with their games in hand (due to the Cup run) they hope to get promoted this season - let's see what happens - games in hand often prove to be a curse.

Stavely Miners Welfare FC

Hallam -  were formed in 1860 and are the second oldest club in world, the record goes to a their local rivals Sheffield FC (formed 1857) . Although, they do hold the record of posessing the oldest ground in the world! In 1867 the club made football history againv when they won the Youdan Cup, the world's firts ever organised football tournament at Bramall Lane - when they beat fellow Sheffield club - Norfolk? In 1992 floodlights were installed at Sandygate, along witha 250 seater stand and shelter for 100 spectators. In September 2010 Uriah Rennie (ex FA Premier League Ref) was unveiled as club president at Hallam 150th anniversay dinner. Howard Wilkinson of Leeds Utd, Sheff Utd and Sheff Wed fame played at Hallam.

Hallam FC

Worsbrough Bridge Athletic - started (1923) as Worsborough Bridge St James the name of the local Parish Church. They reformed in 1947 adopting their current name - like so many clubs at this level, they play both Cricket and Football at their ground. Financial backing from the Miner's Welfare ended in the early 90's following closure of the mines by Thatcher&Co. Notwithstanding the loss of their main backer, the club have continued to develop - in 1993 Floodlights were installed and hard standing laid by the river side of the ground in 2008.
Mick McCarthy the ex Eire and Wolves maanger started his career here, before progresing to the higher echlons of football management - That's right isn't Mr Keane?
Worsborough Bridge