July 2016
WIDER VIEW the
Pre-Season Friendlies Who are Railway playing?
Ashforth’s View A summer of hard work
Down but not out
Evo-Stik to NCEL
View from the stands What’s it like to support Railway?
PRIDE | PASSION | TRADITION
THE
WIDER VIEW 4
EDITOR’S VIEW Thoughts on relegation from the Evo-Stik and the season ahead
18
CAMPION Campion history and photos of their recent cup success
8
LEE’S VIEW Talking about the players and a look ahead to the pre-season
22
KNARESBOROUGH TOWN Find out more about our close neighbours and their homours
12
2016 SUMMER FIXTURES Who are Railway playing, find out a little more about our opponents
26
BRIGHOUSE TOWN We’ve had plenty of great games while in the Evo-Stik League
14
DARLINGTON A brief overview of Darlington’s history and their ambitions
30
HARROGATE TOWN Who will win the John Smiths’ Trophy this year?
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34
NORTON AND STOCKTON Who are Norton? Find out a little about their history and successes
38
STANDING VIEW Dave Shepherd give us his thoughts on Non-League football
46
PLAYERS TO WATCH James Grayson of Non-League Yorkshire gives us his opinion
52
TRACK RECORD A brief look at Railway’s history, bang up to date!
OTHER FEATURES IN THIS EDITION 36 - When Darlington came to play 42 - Harrogate Railway Clubhouse 44 - Find out more about the club BACK - Friendly fixture summary
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EDITOR’S VIEW / OPINION
Relegation. I won’t lie to you. It hurts.
Our fate was confirmed a few matches from the end of last season, on a night we weren’t playing, when Ossett Town won and condemed Railway to the drop. It hurt. Everyone at the club felt it. From the players, manager, committee through to the fans and numerous volunteers that make this club what it is. But we haven’t dwelled on it. We’ve faced the realities that mean the club goes on and the same things that had to happen in the Evo-Stik Division One North league to get a game on, have to happen to get an NCEL Premier League game on.
A Summer of change...
The club has discussed what has happened, understood why it happened and moved on.
In fact, there is a new reality at Station View. Nigel Corner, Chairman of the club will be leaving his post at the AGM in August. There have also been new members of the committee and with that a new emphasis on what needs to be achieved. Over the summer, the club has been busy bringing on-board new sponsorship partners who we will work with to drive the club forward. Many of these new partner firms will be announced over the coming weeks.
We will have a new shirt sponsor and many new players to fill those shirts.
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And that brings me to the most important changes that have occurred over the summer. We’ve lost a few players, retained a few of last year’s squad and held trials to attract new players to the club.
Believe me, there is some exciting talent that come the 6th August, will be pulling on the red and green of Railway. From the little I have seen of the players during training, they look more ready than they did at this time last year. That can only bode well for the coming season.
The one thing that hasn’t changed since last season, is that Lee Ashforth is still manager. Some may question this decision, many in the club do not. Lee has said himself, that he has learned a lot from last season. The saying goes that you learn more in defeat than in victory,
I firmly believe that even given the fact that we as a club do not have the financial resources to compete with certain teams in the league, Lee and his team can and will punch above their weight and hopefully surprise everyone. We are looking forward to making new friends in the NCEL Premier League when we host teams at Station View and go to their grounds.
Finally, as a club, we’re ambitious and we’re not hurting anymore. Here’s to the new season!
Railway’s new signing Danny Stimpson in action against Darlington
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Simon
PARKES
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LEE ASHFORTH / MANAGER
Lee’s View Welcome back to Station View
Thank you once again to the Committee for backing me as this seasons manager, many clubs would have changed after my first season in charge, but Harrogate Railway decided to let me continue to develop as a manager and hopefully develop the team.
Most of the people I have spoken to fully understand how difficult it is to manage a team and when budgets are involved, even more so.
Our target was to finish outside the bottom two, to put that into perspective, if the target was to finish in the top ten and we finished 11th, some would have considered this as near enough, unfortunately we finished one place below our target and that meant we were relegated. I was offered two other roles in football at levels above the North East Counties but never did I consider these as options once the club had backed me to stay.
I believe that Railway have given me a chance and at the end of last season they deserved some loyalty, many managers
talk about how players are not loyal and how frustrating it is, therefore surely as managers we should be loyal and set a precedent to the players. Of course in football things change regularly and each challenge is a new one and new decisions always need to be made, but as we stand, I can assure everyone that I see myself being at this club as long as they want me.
This season we need to ensure that we are successful, how we gage the success is yet to be determined, but as a club we need to consolidate and get accustomed to the level, its a common theme in football that when you go down the target is to bounce straight back up, but in the North East Counties Premier Division this would be difficult, however achievable, as only one is promoted. If the budgets of last seasons winning team is true then I can assure you we are not involved with those levels of finance and not by a long way.
The management team and players will go into the season with fresh impetus and confidence that we can do well in this
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league and compete on a more even keel than we did over the last twelve months.
From a management perspective, Simon Wood left at the end of the season to play for Liversedge, the management and coaching was taking up a lot of his time and he goes with my best wishes after serving the club and me superbly in his time here. I hope that he plays against us and he is given a warm welcome by all.
Martin Powell who was the third part of the management team has stepped up to Assistant Manager and with his qualifications and seasons experience I have no fear that he will grow into the role and be the enthusiasm that I need by my side. Matty Lovegreen, Luca Mellor and Chandler Hallwood have all moved back to their previous clubs and these three youngsters have a bright future in the game. Nathan Curtis (Frickley), Lawrence Hunter (Bamber) have both decided to have a go at Evostick level and Harry Coates although released from Harro-
I have spoken to Martin Gray regularly over the past few seasons and he is without doubt an unbelievable manager.
gate Town is seeking a club at a higher level, these three players were superb last year and again go with our best wishes. The final parting player is Dan Thirkell (Tadcaster), I spoke to Dan at the end of the season and said that if he decided to go to an Evostik team then the club wouldn’t stand in his way. It did not come as a surprise that he decided to go to Tadcaster, with Billy Miller in charge and most of the team from season the before last it was a logical step. It may have upset one or two but realistically he has served 11 seasons at his boyhood club, it would not surprise me in the slightest for him to pull on the red and green shirt again in the future and he will be warmly accepted once again. I wish Dan all the best for the rest of his football career wherever he plays.
Darlington come to Station View as Evostick Premier Winners and back to back promotions.
I have a lot of respect for him and wish him all the best for this season.
We will see the return of Matty Lovegreen, Amar Purewal, Liam Hardy and of course one of my best friends Nathan Cartman.
Matty and Amar were great for us last season and a fit Amar is a frightening prospect to face, with Cartman and Hardy as well, I think we may have a few issues to deal with.
We wish Darlington as a club a great season, I wont call them a sleeping giant, as they certainly aren’t doing much sleeping, but the size and stature of the club is magnificent. The second game will see us face newly promoted Campion who will play in the First Division of the Counties, I am good friends with James Bicknell who is the manager and driving force behind the club. We played Campion in a friendly when we were having the bad weather last season and it was a good competitive game.
They certainly wont be easy and have recruited well and will have a point to prove. Good luck to James and his team for the season.
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LEE ASHFORTH / MANAGER
We then entertain Knaresborough Town who will no doubt include several ex-Railway players, Ben Parkes, Tom Hesquith among them. I never really knew Paul Stansfield as a player and only had a couple of dealings with him as a manager obviously with the Mike Morris, Fatlum Ibrihimi and later Simon Parkes deals.
I can honestly say he is the only manager in my short reign who I have clashed with a little. Maybe due to the closeness of the two teams and the players we have tried to sign etc but it hasn’t been easy. However I hope these issues have now been put to bed and we start with a clean slate. I
am a firm believer that if all the local clubs can do well then it bodes good for the area.
The times I have visited Knaresborough it is a great club with great backroom staff and I hope they achieve promotion this season.
Brighouse had another good season in the Evostik and after a great start just dropped off and once they couldnt make the play offs it was great to see Paul give the youngsters a chance. I will visit many games there this year and look forward to seeing them play.
Paul and I played together at Liversedge and our managerial paths have stayed close. I played at Brighouse for a season and made a lot of friends and it will be fantastic to see them all again, also it only takes me 15 minutes to get there!!
Simon never sits on the fence, he feels me as it is and offers great advise. The clubs are now a few leagues apart but relationships
On the 19th July we travel to Brighouse Town and again I have arranged this through my links with Paul Quinn the manager there.
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The John Smiths Trophy will then be competed for against Harrogate Town, Its plain to see that the link between the clubs is better than its ever been. I have contacted Simon Weaver not only for players but for advise through a season that was difficult for me.
are close and thats important. It will be a great game again and always is between the clubs.
Town were unlucky to lose in the play offs and I expect them to go that one step further this time and get over that line. Thanks to both Simon and Irvine for your continued support. Finally we play Norton, this game came as links from the Matty Lovegreen deal, Matty played a couple of games for Norton whilst he was with us and I know Norton have a massive interest in developing young players and finding talent especially when they are surrounded by big spending clubs.
They will bring a team today that will be a big challenge 6 days before our first game of the season and it will be a great test against a team that will be no push overs. We hope Norton have a great season and successful one too. Finally, speak to any manager and they will tell you results dont matter in pre season and that is without doubt a fact.
What does matter is the performance levels and the fitness levels of the players, this is what we be looking for as we introduce a new batch of players to add to the 12 players who are still on our books from last season. On August 6th we want to hit the ground running and ensure that last season is a distant memory and the new memories we create are only positive ones, Enjoy the season I know I will,
h
rt o f h s Lee A
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PRE-SEASON / FIXTURES
2016 Summer Fixtures
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5 DARLI NGTON (H) 11 Cam pion ( A 16 KNAR ) ESboro u g h TOW 19 Brig N (h) ho use T own ( A 23 har r ) ogate t o 31 nort on & St wn (h) ockton (h)
6 aug season kick-off TheRailFC.com July 2016 13
DARLINGTON / MATCH PREVIEW
Darlo A waking giant? Their relentless rise up through the non-league The company Darlington 1883 Limited was incorporated on 18 Jan 2012 by owners of Darlington Football Club. This company then went on to purchase the assets of Darlington F.C. on 3 May 2012 when a CVA could not be agreed with creditors.
Being regarded as a new club by the FA meant that Darlington 1883 could not be placed higher than level nine of the football pyramid, four divisions below where Darlington F.C. had been at the end of the 2011–12 season.
(Above and right) Darlington played Railway during pre-season in 2015
Darlington Football Club itself was founded in 1883, and became a professional football club in 1908, joining the North Eastern League.
The club became a member of the Football League in 1920, in which it competed until 1989, and again from 1990 to 2010. In
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the 1989–90 season and from 2010 to 2012, Darlington played in the Football Conference. Darlington went into administration in 2004, in 2009, and again in October 2011 when enough money was raised by fans’ groups to compete for the whole of the 2011–12 season, which ended with Darlington relegated into the Conference North. The club was eventually taken over by Darlington1883, a group of local fans, with the intention of moving into community owner-
ship.
recommendation of the Football Association when the club Darlington1883 failed to arapplied to use a ground without range a CVA, and as such on 21 the required grading for the June 2012 Darlington F.C. ceased Northern Premier League. to exist. An appeal against the FA decision was inevitably rejected, The as yet unnamed ‘phoenix’ confirming that the new club club were placed into the North- would not be able to play as ern League Division One, on the Darlington F.C.
On 25 June 2012 the new board’s registration of a new club, under the name of Darlington 1883, was accepted. In March 2013 it was confirmed that the Darlington Football Club Community Interest Company (DFC CIC), which represents around 800 fan-members,
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DARLINGTON / MATCH PREVIEW
had taken a 52% stake in the football club.
This made the club 100% fan and community owned, with 16% owned by the Darlington 1883 Supporters’ Club and 32% by 28 individual fans. Darlington 1883 announced that three members of the DFC CIC would be added to the board as directors, along with current ones and new chief executive officer, Martin Jesper, head of football operations, Laura Drew and head of club development, Dave Mills. Following a successful first season in the
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Northern League Division One, Martin Gray’s Darlington 1883 were crowned champions with a record haul of 122 points, having scored 145 goals in the process.
As a result, Darlington 1883 were promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One North. In the 2014–15 season, Darlington again finished 2nd and on 2 May 2015 they won the playoff final against Bamber Bridge to win promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division. Darlington were the only top team in the Division One North to take full points from
Harrogate Railway in the 2014/15 season, displaying [at times] some breathtaking attacking play in those games. Darlington were without doubt the best team that Railway played against last season.
minutes as Railway beat Darlington’s rivals for promotion, Salford at Station View. Railway heroes, Nathan Cartman and Rob Youhill joined Darlington in 2015.
In the 2015-16 season, Darlington clinched the Northern Premier League Premier Division title on 21 April Darlington fans came and 2016 after beating Whitby supported Harrogate Rail- Town 7-1 to seal promoway at Christmas when their tion to the National League game was called off at the North. last minute, enjoying the 90
It has been an incredible rise through the leagues for Darlington and their journey back into the league is not finished yet. Watch this space...
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CAMPION / MATCH PREVIEW
Humble Beginnings Formed in 1963 by Michael Mahoney, taking its players from the members of St Edmund Campion Youth club, in 1976 through Peter Kennelly the club was renamed Campion F.C. The club moved back into open age football in 1975 entering the Bradford Sunday League 4th division and gained promotion over five years to the 1st Division. In 1976 the club entered the Red Triangle League a local Bradford Saturday League and after steady years of progress moved up to the Premier Division in 1979.
The following season saw Campion lift the Premier division league cup as well as finish runners up in the league.
West Riding County Amateur League
1981 saw the clubs policy change to concentrate on Saturday football only as they entered the West Riding County Ama-
teur League and in 1983 both its open age teams were in the W.R.C.A.F.L.
Due to financial difficulties and the resignation of both the 1st and 2nd team managers along with the club secretary the club withdrew from the W.R.C.A.F.L. in 1985. Under new secretary Andy Shepherd the club re-formed and entered the premier division of the Red Triangle League for the 1985/86 season.
The club were accepted again back into W.R.C.A.F.L. in 1986. Steady progress was made during the next few season’s and by 1989 they were established in
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Division 2.
At the start of the 1989/90 season former player Delroy Dacres was appointed manager a position he still held nearly a quarter of a century later when he finally retired in 2013! In his first season in charge the Division 2 League and cup was won.
This was followed by the Division 1 league and cup in 1992/93 bringing premier Division football to the club. The 1993/94 season saw the club’s reserve side win the Division 4 championship under the guidance of Dave Simpson and
Andy Smith.
Cup Success
County Cup Winners Our finest hour, Campion AFC win the County Cup
Since the year 2000 the club have won numerous cups missing out on the League title by 1 point in 2005/06 despite winning 20 league matches on the trot.
However with out doubt the highlight of the clubs history was in May 2007 when after going a goal down to League rivals and former County cup winners Golcar United goals by former Bradford City and Newcastle united player Des Hamilton and a last minute winner by Micky Burke saw Campion Lift the County Cup. Season 2007-08 saw Campion retain the W.R.C.A.F.L. Premier
Division League Cup for the third year on the trot making it a total of 4 wins in the last five years
Campion have since lifted the Bradford & District FA Cup twice in 2010 and 2012 the latter with a “Manchester United” style win over Salts. Trailing 1-0 going into stoppage time goals from Thomas Howard and Nathan Woodward saw the cup return to Scotchman Road for the third time. In 2011-12 the Reserves under the leadership of Howard Gordon won the W.R.C.A.F.L. Division Two championship following a run of 5 wins in the last 6 games saw them clinch the title by 3 points.
Expansion & Partnership
Since then the club has main-
tained steady progress and seen improvement both on and off the field of play.
2006 saw the club enter a new era with the opening of a £1.5 million club house and community centre under the banner of Manningham Mills Sports Association of which Campion F.C. is a partner along with Manningham Mills Cricket Club and Heaton Juniors F.C.
In 2007 Heaton Juniors changed there name to Campion Juniors in partnership which hopefully see more home grown players progress through the ranks. In 2013 Delroy Dacres announced that he was to retire as first team manager after 25 years in charge.
Without doubt a larger than life character Delroy’s booming voice will be missed not only
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CAMPION / MATCH PREVIEW
at Campion but other grounds throughout the league.
down as Reserve Team Manager to be succeeded by former Campion member Greg Andre.
The following season saw Howard Gordon step
It was fortunate that the club was approached
He has been succeeded by club favourite James Bicknell who has since continued to ensure Campion remains one of the leagues top teams.
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Andre failed to emulate the success of his predecessor and was removed shortly after only seven months in charge.
by Wibsey Lions manager, Dave Turner, who was looking to bring a number of younger players to Campion AFC which would not only bolster the ranks of the Reserve team but also create a brand new Under 21’s side that would compete in the inaugural year of the leagues U21 competition.
Turner also took the role of assistant manager of the Reserve Team to the newly appointed Mark Palfreeman, a senior player who had turned to management following the departure of Andre.
(This page and previous) Cup success for Campion. Photos courtesy of Campion AFC
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KNARESBOROUGH TOWN / MATCH PREVIEW
ON THE UP
Knaresborough Town Football Club are an English football club from the North Yorkshire town of Knaresborough, their exact foundation date is unknown but records show that they were an active club prior to 1902.
Knaresborough Football Club, winning the championship in 1902–03, 1903–04 and 1904– 05, the latter of which was achieved with a 100% record.
Due to their good form, they were invited into the Northern Most notably the club featured League, where they competed in the Northern League for two against teams such as York City seasons, during the early 1900s. and Scarborough. They finished They are currently playing in the 9th in their first season in the Northern Counties East League league, one place behind ScarDivision One. borough, and above York City. HISTORY The club were very successful in the York Football League during their early days under the name
The following season they were relegated and re-joined the York Football League in the 1911–12. Not long after the club fell into
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more problems and were suspended for the 1913–14 season. POST-WORLD WAR I After World War I Knaresborough returned to the York League and won it by 1924–25, repeating the success the following season.
For the rest of the 1920s, the club battled out for the championship with Selby Olympia and Northumberland Fusiliers; Knaresborough were able to win the league one more time before the end of the decade. The club resigned in 1930, but
were back two seasons later under the name Knaresborough Town Football Club, this is the name they use today.
Their return was emphatic only a season after returning; they had undefeated season and won a clean sweep of everything they entered, including; the York League, the Faber Cup, the Whitworth Cup and the Harrogate Charity Cup. The following season they won the championship again, beating out York Railway Institute. REFORMATION The club was folded at the start of World War II, but reformed under their original name, the name of Knaresborough Football Club due to financial problems. Soon after the Town part of the club’s name was restored. They did not return to the York League however, in the following 25 years they played in the West Yorkshire League and the
Harrogate and District League. They also moved to their current ground Manse Lane by the end of the 1950s.
For a long period from 1972 onwards, they were a part of the Harrogate League. Only to be accepted back into the West Yorkshire League as recently as 1993–94.
They marked their return to the league in style, winning the Premier Division League Cup final against Sherburn White Rose 3–1 at Queen’s Terrace; Ossett Albion‘s stadium.
The Whitworth Cup was won in 1995 and the Hulme Cup in 1999 & 2004.
The Reserves had success with League and Cup wins in the West Yorkshire League, doing the double in Division Four in 1994–95 and followed that by winning the Division Three title the following year to gain promotion into division two.
It was after this season that the Premier Alliance Division (now called Alliance Division One) was formed for the reserve sides of the Premier Division teams.
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KNARESBOROUGH TOWN / MATCH PREVIEW
The Reserves have won the Premier Alliance Division League Cup in 1998–99 and again in 2003–04. Under the management of Rob Pearson and Colin Lacey the Club won the Whitworth Cup in 2005–06.
Brian Davey brought it back to Knaresborough in 2007–08 and finished a creditable third in the West Yorkshire League Premier Division.
In Brian’s words his objective was to improve on that position the following season and he certainly stood by those words, winning the West Yorkshire League Premier Division Title in 2008–09. It was during the season 2008– 09 that the club moved out of the old clubhouse building which had served as changing rooms before it was turned into a clubhouse in 1992 and into the new one.
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The following year in 2009–10 the club won the coveted West Riding County FA ‘County Challenge Cup’.
Knaresborough Town football club has regularly issued programmes for first team matches since 1993.
It is also thought that the club may have produced occasional issues prior to that time though no copies remain in the hands of the club.
HONOURS West Riding County FA County Challenge Cup Winners: 2009–10 West Yorkshire League Challenge Trophy Winners: 2009–10 West Yorkshire League Premier Division League winners: 2008–09 West Yorkshire League Premier Division League Cup Winners: 1993–94 West Yorkshire League Division One League Cup Winners: 1970– 71 West Yorkshire League Division Two Champions: 1969–70 West Yorkshire Division Two League Cup Winners: 1958–59, 1960–61 York Football League Champions: 1902–03, 1903–04, 1904–05, 1908–09, 1924–25, 1925–26, 1928–29, 1933–34, 1934–35 York Football League Division One Champions: 1952–53 York Football League Division Two Champions: 1951–52 Harrogate and District League Champions: 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67 League Cup Winners: 1965–66, 1967–68 Harrogate FA Whitworth Cup Winners: 1907–08, 1911–12, 1920–21, 1922–23, 1925–26, 1926–27, 1927–28, 1929–30, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1936–37, 1958–59, 1964–65, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1988–89, 1994–95, 2005–06, 2007–08,2009–10. Hulme Cup Winners: 2009–10. Charity Cup Winners: 2010–11
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BRIGHOUSE TOWN / MATCH PREVIEW
GOING TO
TOWN
The club was originally formed in 1963, as a representative side of the Blakeborough Valve Company of Brighouse and their home games were played on the Woodhouse Recreation Ground, with the side competing in the Huddersfield Works League. The club gained various league
honours over the years, the most successful coming in the 1968/69 season, when they won both the League Cup as well as the Halifax District Cup.
Following this success, the club took the huge step of obtaining its own ground at Hove Edge.
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Whilst at Green Lane, where they played for more than a decade, they achieved two more league titles before taking another major step, in applying for and achieving West Riding County Amateur League status in 1975.
The club thrived there, until their Green Lane ground was developed for housing, upon which they moved to their present ground, just round the corner, on St Giles Road.
There followed a period of stagnation, competing mainly in the lower divisions of the WRCAL until 1988 when the demise of the Blakeborough Company resulted in a new outlook, as well as a new name. This change proved to be the catalyst for the most successful period in the clubs history so far.
The newly named Brighouse Town AFC won promotion to the WRCA Premier Division in their first season, as well as winning the WRCAL Division One Cup. and also completed the double by winning the WRCA League Cup.
In 1991 the Premier Division Championship was won for the first time and in 1992 soon followed the West Riding County Challenge Cup.
In 1994 Town won the Premier Division League Cup and were runners up in the County Chal-
lenge Cup, and they were Premier Division Champions again in 1995. Season 1995/96 was perhaps the most successful season in the clubs history so far.
Brighouse Town once again won the WRCAL Premiership title
They also won the Bob Wedgeworth Memorial Trophy.
Season 2008-09, saw the club make the significant step into Semi-Professional football by entering and being accepted into the Northern Counties East League Division One. After only two seasons in NCEL Division One, the Club won
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BRIGHOUSE TOWN / MATCH PREVIEW
promotion to the NCEL Premier Division under the guidance of Mark Brier and Daz Attwood.
2011/12 Season saw the appointment of Paul Quinn as Manager and after 4th and 2nd place finishes in his first two seasons, the NCEL Premier Title was achieved with a record points total in 2013/14 – the Clubs 50th anniversary season.
Promotion to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North brought the highest level of football in the history of the Club only six years after leaving the West Riding County Amateur League, and a new and exciting challenge lay ahead. A very respectable 15th place finish was achieved in Club’s inaugural season and with valuable experience gained and Paul Quinn still at the helm. 2015/16 season saw Brighouse off to a great start, eventually ending in mid-table, but having played some exhilarating football.
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HARROGATE TOWN / MATCH PREVIEW
AROUND TOWN
Harrogate Town playing Fylde at the CNG Stadium in the first leg of the league play-offs in May.
The club was formed in 1914 as Harrogate AFC, but owing to First World War did not play a game until they joined the West Yorkshire League in 1919./20. The next season they also played in the newly formed Yorkshire League.
In 1921/22 they played in the Midland Counties League and after a disastrous season in the Northern League in
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1931/32, Harrogate F C. folded. In 1935 a new team called Harrogate Hotspurs was founded and in 1948 changed their name to Harrogate Town. They played in the West Yorkshire League until 1957 when they rejoined the Yorkshire League.
After the introduction of the Non-League Pyra-
mid in 1982 they joined the Northern Counties East, but after just five years they joined the newly formed Northern Premier League First Division in 1987/88.
Town remained at this level until 2002 when they won the Championship and were promoted to the Premier division. When Nationwide Conference North and South were created in 2004/5, Town’s 5th place finish
in the Unibond Premier Division secured them a place in this new league. In their five seasons at this level Town finished sixth three times and reached the play off’ s once, where they lost to Stafford Rangers.Long standing manager Neil Aspin left at the end of season 08/09 when Town finished ninth. His place was taken by Simon Weaver the ex-Lincoln, Scarborough and Nuneaton player. Unfortunately,Town finished rock bottom in 09/10 with 30 points, only to be saved from relegation to the Evo-Stik League by the expulsion of Northwich Victoria. Following their reprieve Town finished in a creditable 12th position in season 2010/11.
An injury blighted 2011/12 season saw Town finish in 15th place after a tense battle against relegation.
Last season saw Town just miss out on a play off place when they finished sixth, but they reached the second round of the F A Cup with a victory over Torquay United, their first win over a League club, before losing to Hastings United on penalties. In season 2012/13,Town chal-
lenged for a play-off place but eventually finished ninth, whilst in the West Riding County Cup, they reached the final only to fall to a last minute penalty against Eccleshill United.
In season 2014/15, Town finished in 15th place in the Vanarama Conference North.
HONOURS Harrogate’s first League title came in 1926/27 when they won the Yorkshire League First Division Championship, but they had to wait for over fifty years before they won the Yorkshire League Second Division in 1982. Their only other League title was won in 2001/02 when they won the Unibond First Division. Their only cup success in the Yorkshire League was a losing appearance in the1961/62 League Cup.
They were Unibond First Division Cup winners in 1989/90 and Unibond Chairman’s Cup finalists in 2000/01 losing on penalties to Barrow.
In 2002/03 they reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time losing 5-1 at Farnborough. They repeated the feat in 2005
when they drew 1-1 at Torquay United before losing the replay 6-5 on penalties before a crowd of 3317. In 2012 Town reached the second round of the F A Cup for the first time losing to Hastings United.
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HARROGATE TOWN / MATCH PREVIEW
Town have also won the West Riding County Cup eight times and been runners up on four occasions.
THE GROUND The club began playing behind the County Hotel (now Mujib restaurant) before moving to Starbeck Lane in 1919. A year later they moved to the present ground after raising ÂŁ3000 with a share issue.
After disbanding in 1931 the club sold the ground to the council who own it to this day.
Floodlights were installed in 1982 and a new cantilever stand built for the 1990/91 season.
The bar has been extended twice, new changing rooms have been installed and the floodlights were improved to the level needed for Conference football in 2006.
In summer 2007 two new turnstiles were added, the clubhouse was revamped, and a new toilet block built. The record attendance was set in the1949/50 when 4280 saw the Whitworth Cup final between Town and Harrogate Railway.
The close season 2012 saw feverish activity at Wetherby Road with the 1919 Club and the Sponsors/Directors Lounge
32 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
completely revamped and a new office and shop built. The famous Wetherby Road slope has been removed and a new sprinkler system installed and the pitch has been completely reseeded.
Further work took place on the pitch in summer 2013 and a new club shop incorporating the supporter’s club shop has been opened. In the close season of 2014 a new stand,complete with two new toilet blocks and a refreshment bar, has been erected at the hospital end. In the summer of 2015 a new
covered terrace was erected on the Wetherby Road side of the ground.
The season 2015/16 saw Town reach the National North play-
offs, only to go down to AFC Fylde on aggregate.
During the summer of 2016, an all weather 3G pitch has been installed at the CNG Stadium.
TheRailFC.com July 2016 33
NORTON / MATCH PREVIEW
Norton and Stockton visit Station View on the last day of July and are Railway’s last opponents in the pre-season
The club was established in 1959 as Norton Cricket Club Trust by members of Norton Cricket Club seeking a winter pastime, and joined the Teesside League. They won the Durham Minor Cup in 1967–68, and went on to win the North Riding Amateur Cup three times and the Teesside League Cup once.
In 1980 Stockton were wound up. As their remaining assets were transferred to Norton, the two clubs merged, taking their current name.
They joined Division Two of the Northern League in 1982 when the division was re-established. They remained in Division Two until 2008–09,
34 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
when they finished as runners-up and were promoted to Division One. In 2010, the club achieved its record attendance when a crowd of 1,526 watched them take on F.C. United of Manchester in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup. Norton & Stockton Ancients FC will be playing in the Ebac Northern League Division One after securing promotion from division 2.
In recent seasons the club has achieved two top 10 finishes, a quarter final appearance in the F.A. Vase and third qualifying round of the F.A. Cup and only last season winning the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Trophy.
It’s July and already the nights are getting longer. There’s something magical about Autumn football.
TheRailFC.com July 2016 35
MATCH SHOTS / DARLINGTON
When Darlington Came to Play
36 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
The first pre-season friendly saw Nathan Cartman and his high-flying Darlington side visit Station View. A stern test for Railway and although we lost 2-0, acquitted ourselves really well, asking questions of the Darlington defence on a number of occasions. Darlington showed us why they are a top team and will be competing at the top of the National North League this season for promotion.
TheRailFC.com July 2016 37
OPINION / FAN’S VIEW
STANDING VIEW In the first of a series of articles, we wanted the thoughts of a fan in the stands
P
icking your Football Team, the one you will support for life can be a contentious subject. From the traditionalist where Geography or place of birth dictates your club, to the Glory Hunter or family friend peer pressure. Your club is your club and it should be a lifelong commitment. However with Non-League it’s slightly different, you can have your Big Club or Pro Club while also having a Non-League club to support at the same time. This along with your National Team means you have a rich and diverse spectrum of the beautiful game to follow at many levels. I, like many others found my true
team later in life. A season ticket holder at Elland Road from a young age meant I saw my Big Club play through the very best years of their history. The Supporters Club would hold 2-3 functions a season where many of my childhood hero’s would attend and socialise as a common man with common men. You felt very close to them and the club, a real sense of belonging. As Football grew it lost something for me, I would go to games, be herded about, over charged for admission, programmes, food and beer. Then the TV explosion with Sky, Setanta (Remember them), BT and the like, the game took a massive change and not for the better in
38 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
my opinion. I had been a member at Harrogate & District Railway Athletic Sports & Social Club since my 18th Birthday using the Club as a regular, drinking but rarely watched a game. I was always watching Leeds, marriage, buying a house and having children took its toll on my available finances and so I had to cherry pick my games. First the season ticket went, then further reductions in games meant I’d have Saturdays with nothing to do and they felt empty. October 27th 2001 was a turning point for me. Man U v Leeds was a Early kick off and was on TV so
David Shepherd (middle) tells us why he got involved in NonLeague football.
we decided to go down to Railway to watch the game on the big screen in the old Dagger. A game Leeds should have won with a Viduka Goal at Old Trafford, Solskjaer scoring the equaliser with only a couple of minutes remaining. Buoyed by the great display by Leeds someone suggested walking over and watching Railway take on a top conference side in the shape of Morecombe FC (The Shrimps) in the 4th Qualifying round of the FA Cup. It was an experience that changed my whole philosophy on the game. There was approx. 1000 supporters there and a great atmosphere as Railway held their own against
their superior opposition. Indeed as 90 minutes past Railway were dreaming of a Replay at the seaside before Morecombe dashed their dreams by scoring from a corner in the 95 minute to make it 2-3 on the day. Well I was hooked, we had had a right laugh, a good drink watched a thrilling game and for the fraction of what I would have paid to follow Leeds to Old Trafford. Since that day I have probably only missed a hand full of games. I followed Railway to the end of the season visiting some very diverse Non-League grounds on the way. Not always that luxurious but fit for purpose, a warm welcome,
a few beers, friendly banter and some good football (maybe not always) but you were much closer to it. You could rib the keeper behind the goal, ask the striker what the hell he was doing with just the keeper to beat and you always got a response. I remember one game at Liversedge away it was Boxing Day and we were behind the home goal at the clubhouse end having a laugh with the keeper. To keep warm we’d taken a hip flask with some neat rum in it. Been hospitable we offered the keeper a swig, as he looked to see what was on offer a long ball came goal ward and he immediately averted the
TheRailFC.com July 2016 39
OPINION / FAN’S VIEW
danger and cleared the ball. Then he spun around to request his swig. Little Andy tossed him the flask which the keeper impressively caught without dropping it. He was just about to open the flask when Hugger was on the attack for Railway. Noticing the advancing forward the keeper tucked the flask down his sock closed down Hugger smothering the ball at his feet. Then he was up and the ball thrown out to the wing and the goal attempt was averted and he could return to his nip of rum. He took the flask from his sock and opened the lid, wiped the neck with his mucky Goal Keepers glove and had a big gulp. Wiping his mouth with his sleeve he thanked us and graciously clean the neck of the flask again with the groin area of his shorts before tossing it back over the barrier. Another away trip we had Silly Hats for Selby and our Barmy Army all wore hats that were a tad silly. From Flat Caps to Bull Horns and I wore a Mohican. Unbeknown to us Selby had erected a new stand behind their goal and the local mayor and press were there to cut the ribbon and declare it open. Just before kick off a number of people amassed in the new stand and we were ushered a cross to make the place look busy. As the guy from the press assembled everyone, he obviously had no local sports knowledge as he requested me and Big Andy to the front to add some colour. So in our Railway Tops and Silly Hats
we were right at the front shaking hands with the Selby Mayor on the back page of the Selby Times for the opening of Selby’s New Stand. Only in Non-League could that happen. If I were asked what was the best Game I have ever been to and with Leeds there were many great days and nights. But if pressed I would have to say without doubt Harrogate Railway v Slough Town Away FA Cup 1st Round Proper. This was by far the funniest, booziest, proudest day of my football supporting life. We went down in a mini bus staying out in Uxbridge the night before the game which was epic in its self. The following morning before the pubs opened we went to the Wrexham Park Stadium to have a rekey. Made very welcome we were shown around the Clubhouse and had a look at the pitch but we couldn’t get a drink so we decided to have a ride up the road to the nearest boozer. As we left we wire-tied a sacrificial Blow Up Sheep to the Club Gates dressed in The Red & Green of the Rail to show we had been. This was long before Twitter and face-ache so the few that had a mobile back then just let everyone know where we were if they wanted to meet up. By Midday the pub was full of Rail Fans and we were singing our hearts out. Locals came in and laughed and joked with us joining in the pre-match
40 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
fun. Arriving at the ground a good hour before K.O. we again sang our hearts out making it look like we were at home. The game was a credit to Marshy, Micky Margis and Smudge as we dug in and made a great game of it against opposition 2 leagues above us. Slough took the lead from a corner and went in at half time in front 1-0 but Railway were not finished and goals from Kev Smith and Steve Hugger Davey sealed the win and cued great celebrations lasting well into the night. Big Andy was taken away in an ambulance only to be released about midnight and spent the night with the team in the Marriot Hotel Windsor. Monster times, this was the game that set up the Sky Sports Live televised game at Station View against high flying Bristol City in the 2nd Round proper of the FA Cup. I could tell you loads of stories about our exploits but my point is this. You don’t have to spend mind numbing amounts of money to watch your big team play live. You can get your footie fix at NonLeague level and enjoy yourself just as much if not more. You’ll be welcomed, home or away and you’ll be able to air your opinions to the actual decision makers. And, if you have something constructive to say or are willing to get involved you will be welcomed with open arms. Non-League need their local
football supporters to support them. With the Premier League as it is, you can watch a NonLeague Game live at the ground and then either retire to the clubhouse or head home to watch your Premiership team kick off at whatever time the TV companies have instructed them to play at. It’s a win win…. Looking forward to seeing you at a Non-League Game in the very near future. If you don’t enjoy it you can ask for your money back. They can only say no…
TheRailFC.com July 2016 41
HARROGATE RAILWAY / CLUBHOUSE
WELCOME! My name is teri. Myself and my husband, Buz, manage the bar here at Station View. Members and non-members alike are all very welcome!
The clubhouse is a light, airy and modern building, ideal for functions and parties, which we host for a variety of occasions to
suit your needs.
The venue is free to hire and parties of over forty adults can claim a ÂŁ50 bar tab. We offer hot and cold catering in a buffet style at competitive prices. We can also arrange a disco
42 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
and/or karaoke from Buzstarz Karaoke at a special club price.
There is a special atmosphere here in the clubhouse on matchdays. However, the fund doesn’t stop there!
Our opening hours are given below and we host pool and darts team matches here.
We have a monthly quiz and it is a really fun family event held on a Friday evening. Food is provided, along with a raffle and other games. Buzstarz often finish the evening with a karaoke sing-song. Opening hours: Thurs 7pm, Fri 6pm, Sat midday, Sun midday to 6pm.
We host bands and singers regularly - check our calendar of events.
Come and join us, we look forward to seeing you soon!
To make enquiries on how we can help host your event, contact Teri on 07412 384 644 or 01423 883 104
TheRailFC.com July 2016 43
WHO ARE WE / HARROGATE RAILWAY
Harrogate Railway AFC Station View, Harrogate HG2 7JA CLUB OFFICIALS Chairman
NIGEL CORNER Treasurer
CHRIS PARKES Club Secretary
ANN KIRK
Football Secretary
DAVID SHEPHERD Commercial Manager
ALAN SMITH Committee
GARY JOHNSON, SIMON MERCER, ALAN SMITH, BEN DRURY, CHRIS WATT Media/Press Officer
MARK P DOHERTY Clubhouse Manager
GARY JOHNSON TERI BUSSEY FIRST TEAM Manager
LEE ASHFORTH Assistant Managers
MARTIN POWELL Physio
NICOLA MAWSON
All images copyright Caught Light Photography Limited, unless otherwise accredited. Photographs in Players to Watch article, copyright James Grayson. Campion article, photos copyright Campion AFC.
A big thank you to our article contributors - Hal Boxhall-Dockree, David Shepherd, Campion AFC, Norton and Stockton, James Grayson/Non-League Yorkshire and Caught Light Photography Limited.
44 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
You’ll find us at the end of Station View you may be surprised by our facilities!
f
@THERAILFC HARROGATERAILWAY THERAILFC
Find us on Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr, Wordpress, Snapchat and Whats App. Simply search for TheRailFC. Visit our website at therailfc.com
TheRailFC.com July 2016 45
NON-LEAGUE YORKSHIRE / PLAYERS
Players to watch We asked James Grayson from Non-League Yorkshire to tell us which players we should keep an eye on in the NCEL this season
@NonLeagueNorth Non League Yorkshire www.nonleagueyorkshire.com
46 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
Harry Brown is one of a number of exciting, young talented players in Lee Ashforth’s Railway squad.
TheRailFC.com July 2016 47
PREMIER LEAGUE
Kieran Wells (Handsworth Parramore striker)
Danny Critchlow (Hemsworth Miners Welfare striker)
Mark Simpson (Garforth Town st
Arguably Parramore’s best signing in recent years, Wells is a force to be reckoned with onand-off-the-pitch.
The signing of Critchlow was the final piece in jigsaw for Division One champions Hemsworth.
Simpson is expec Garforth Town, a supporters admi Thirteen goals in at the start of las him a fans’ favou they were disapp he followed Grah Ossett Town.
He’s the life and soul of Parramore.
He’s dangerous in the box and equally as dangerous when it comes to banter.
Having shared the Premier Division golden boot with strike-partner Jon Froggatt with 40 goals a-piece, Wells is at an age where he’ll only get better.
48 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
He formed a brilliant partnership with Billy Law and scored a series of crucial goals as the Wells cantered to the title.
Injury meant his involvement in the final six games was limited, but he managed a small cameo appearance at Dronfield to score the goal to take the Wells up.
He did return qu failing to break in team, but he was same player - ap Eric Cantona styl Pontefract Collie throes of the cam son will do him g be firing on all cy August.
triker)
cted to stay at a club whose ire him greatly. n no time at all st season made urite. That’s why pointed when ham Nicholas to
uite quickly after nto Ossett’s s never the part from the le goal against eries in the final mpaign. Pre-seagood and he’s ylinders come
Ryan Blott (Pickering Town striker)
Ryan Carroll (Maltby Main striker)
Pickering’s headline signing brought his almost ten-year association with Scarborough Athletic to an end, to drop down a level to play for former Railway chief Paul Marshall.
The youngster dropped in from nowhere in January and immediately made a name for himself.
With Blott’s incredible record, it means goals, goals and goals for Pickering.
Off the back of a lot of his goals, Maltby flew up the table to secure their best league finish in 20 years.
Now Carroll, who came through the youth system at Handsworth Parramore, has a chance to shine over a whole season.
TheRailFC.com July 2016 49
DIVISION ONE
Ash Flynn (AFC Emley striker)
Michael Blythen (Hallam striker)
Liam Ormsby (Selby Town midfi
After incredibly scoring 73 goals in one season (80 if you include the strikes at Lincoln Moorlands*), Flynn has a lot to live up to.
Hallam’s captain led his team to the play-offs with a series of influential displays, including consecutive hat-tricks near the season’s close.
A real statement ing by Selby Tow
Despite being chased by clubs across the region and beyond, he has stayed loyal to Emley, who are extremely determined to finally win the elusive promotion from Division One. Considering the quality of signings along with the retained list, Flynn is bound to hit big figures again. As high as last season? Let’s wait and see…
50 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
Presuming he remains at Sandygate, his goals are going to be key if Hallam are going to go one better and win promotion.
Ormsby has class ence from a high capture cannot b
Successful injury in FA Vase ties pu ferent bracket to
If Selby’s manage other players wit ity then the Rich are going to have season.
fielder)
t of intent signwn.
s and experiher level so his be understated.
y-time penalties ut him in a difo other players.
ement team lure th similar qualhard Street side e an interesting
© Lee Myers
Scott Phillips (Hall Road Rangers striker)
Brad Walker (Knaresborough Town striker)
Phillips is Hall Road’s eye-catching signing and one that changes the whole dimension of their team.
Walker is the rising star in Knaresborough’s team.
His record in the Premier Division was exceptional so what’s it going to be like in Division One? A bad injury curtailed his season at Barton back in October so he’ll also want to make up for lost time.
He was a key component of Paul Stansfield’s side as they surprised many by almost grabbing a play-offs spot. A year older and more experience under his belt, Walker is sure to be on fire again.
*Lincoln Moorlands folded before the end of the season and their league record was expunged.
TheRailFC.com July 2016 51
Track Record
HARROGATE RAILWAY / HISTORY
52 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
H
arrogate Railway will compete in the NCEL Premier Division in 2016/17 for the first time in 11 years after finishing 21st in the NPL Division One North last season.
received an offer from Tadcaster Albion for his services, where he would go on to lift the NCEL Premier Division title.
The managerial shift came to fruition after Miller
Railway’s new gaffer brought in the likes of Alex
Going into 2015/16, Railway promoted Lee Ashforth to Manager having served as Billy Miller’s Assistant for the previous three years.
One of Ashforth’s first jobs in management was to replace the likes of Matt Heath, Adam Baker and Jordan Armstrong who had followed in Miller’s footsteps to the i2i Stadium.
Low, Jack Stockdill and Charlie Clamp to his newly forming squad as well as naming long serving player Dan Thirkell Captain for the forthcoming season. The season started positively with draws against fancied Droylsden and Spennymoor Town being followed up by home wins against Radcliffe Borough and Mossley leaving Railway in a strong position by mid-September.
TheRailFC.com July 2016 53
HARROGATE RAILWAY / HISTORY
Nine matches passed before the club’s next win, however, with November’s 3-2 win at Droylsden keeping Railway above the drop zone.
The weather then played its part in preventing Railway moving up the table as only one game was completed between mid-November and January, with the derby clash with Ossett Town at Station View abandoned at half-time with the home side 3-0 up! The Railwaymen recorded just one win in the 18 games that followed the abandonment, but still had hope of surviving if they could go to Ossett Town and win in the final month of the season.
After falling a goal behind, Amar Purewal struck the visitors level and gave Ashforth’s men hope of claiming the much needed victory, only for Simon Rogers
54 July 2016 TheRailFC.com
to head in a winner that all but sealed Railway’s relegation. Railway did go on to record back to back wins against Prescot Cables and New Mills, but their drop back into the NCEL was confirmed with three games of the season remaining. The club had spent 24 years in the NCEL’s various divisions between 1982 and 2006 before former Manager Martin Haresign guided the club to a third place finish and promotion to the Northern Premier League. During the NCEL years, Railway shot to fame by reaching the second round proper of the FA Cup in the 2002/03 season when Second Division Bristol City travelled to Station View and came away with a 3-1 win in front of Sky TV’s cameras.
Incredibly the Yorkshire club repeated the feat of reaching English Football’s oldest trophy’s second round just five years later when Railway, under the management of Vince Brockie, defeated neighbours Harrogate Town on the way to setting up a tie with The Stags. Live on Match of the Day, Mansfield saw off a plucky Railway 3-2 on a soggy Sunday afternoon at Station View. In the penultimate season of their 11-year stint in the NPL, Harrogate Railway recorded their highest ever finish in English football in 2014/15 when the club placed eighth in the NPL Division One North, finishing above the likes of Warrington Town and Clitheroe.
Under the helm of Billy Miller, Railway’s cause was helped by the scintillating goal scoring form of striker Nathan Cartman, who at one stage of the season was outscoring the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, and lifted the NPL Golden Boot. Cartman earned a big money move to Darlington 1883 in January 2015 where he has since helped the phoenix club achieve back to back promotions to the National League North. Railway narrowly escaped relegation to the NCEL just three years previous to their highest finish, but were handed a reprieve after finishing 21st following the demise of Woodley Sports and Durham City.
TheRailFC.com July 2016 55
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