Ossett United vs Wythenshawe FA Cup - 19.08.23

SSETT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

INGFIELD, PROSPECT ROAD, OSSETT, WF5 9HL

CLUB PRESIDENT: NEVILLE WIGGLESWORTH

CHAIRMAN: PHIL SMITH

VICE-CHAIRMAN: NEIL SPOFFORTH

SECRETARY: NEIL SPOFFORTH

TREASURER: PAUL BILLING

BOARD MEMBERS: LEE BROADBENT, STUART GARSIDE, JOE HANKS, STEVE HANKS,

KATE HENNIGHAN, DAWN ROGERS, JAMES ROGERS

MANAGER: GRANT BLACK

ASSISTANT MANAGER: DAVID BROWN

COACH: ZEPH THOMAS, RYAN PUGH,

SCOUT: GARY DEVENPORT

MEDICAL TEAM: EMILY CRISPIN

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING OFFICER: KATE HENNIGHAN

HEAD OF MEDIA: CRAIG BIDDLESTONE

MEDIA TEAM: MATT BLACKBURN, CHRIS CASSIDY, HARRISON CARPENTER,

OWEN GERRARD, JAMES GOTHARD, KEITH WOOD

PROGRAMME DESIGN: JOSEPH WILLIAMSON

CLUB HONOURS

(OSSETT UNITED, OSSETT TOWN, OSSETT ALBION )

WEST RIDING COUNTY SENIOR CUP

WINNERS: 1949/50

WEST RIDING COUNTY CUP

WINNERS: 1958/59, 1964/65, 1965/66, 1967/68, 1981/82, 1998/99, 2018/19

RUNNERS UP: 2000/01

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION

RUNNERS UP: 2001/02

PLAY-OFF RUNNERS UP: 2016/17

NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST PREMIER DIVISION

WINNERS: 1998/99, 2003/04

RUNNERS UP: 1998/99, 2000/01

NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST FIRST DIVISION

WINNERS: 1986/87

NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST SECOND DIVISION

WINNERS: 1988/89

LUB ANNOUNCE CHANGES AT BOARD LEVEL

to effectively fulfil the role of Chairman. I said I would see us through pre-season and then take a final decision".

Phil Smith is to be the new chairman at Ossett United after James Rogers takes a step back due to work and family commitments.

The changes were agreed by the Board of Ossett United at a meeting on Wednesday evening and take effect immediately.

Rogers has been involved in local football for over 20 years, becoming Chairman of Ossett Town in 2013 and then Chairman of the merged club in 2020.

Rogers said: “It has been an absolute honour and privilege to be Chairman of this great club, even with all of the challenges we have faced, and the rollercoaster of emotions and sleepless nights that come with such a role".

"I indicated to the Board a few months ago that due to work and family commitments I was finding it difficult to devote the time required

"Having now reached the start of the new season, and with my work commitments continuing to take up most of my time, whilst also recognising that as I get older my capacity and energy to do several important roles at the same time becomes an increasing challenge, I have taken the difficult decision to step down as chairman of Ossett United".

"I’m not leaving the club as I will stay on the Board, as will my wife Dawn, and we will continue to support the club as much as we possibly can. This change will allow me to continue to support Ossett United in a less pressurised role whilst ensuring I have the time to effectively fulfil my work and family commitments".

"I’d like to thank my Board colleagues for their understanding of my decision and their steadfast support whilst I have been Chairman".

"It’s been a challenging but successful three years for Ossett United. We have successfully steered our way through a global pandemic; dealt with a significant legal case that threatened the future of the club; improved the facilities at Ingfield beyond recognition with a

C

LUB ANNOUNCE CHANGES AT BOARD LEVEL

new pitch barrier, new floodlights, new dugouts and more recently we have commenced the extension and refurbishment of our changing room facilities. Overall, a very busy and challenging three years back in the hot seat as Chairman. I am confident that the Board have made the right choice in appointing my good friend Phil Smith as my replacement, and I will do all that I can to support Phil in his new role.”

Smith has been Chairman previously and was the Board’s unanimous choice to replace Rogers

Smith said: “James indicated a while ago that he had some work and family commitments that were possibly going to affect his ability to be chairman at a level he knows the role demands. We all know he is a man with the opinion if you are going to do a job then you put 100% in or not at all. There’s no doubt that over the last three years he has done a stellar job in guiding the club to stability through effective budget management and he steps down from his role leaving the club in a sustainable and healthy condition. I discussed at length with James about a second spell as chairman and identified areas within the club I’d like to progress and work on. He has agreed to support this and as you would expect will be a guide and a sounding board on all major decisions"

"At this point I have to mention the rest of the board who work tirelessly behind the scenes on a multitude of topics. I have had the pleasure of working with some great teams in my career but I’ve not met any yet that are more focused and cohesive than the board at Ossett United. I would like to thank them for their continued efforts and their support in backing me as Chairman. My stance is that we are all a team and everyone is valued the same no matter of age, experience or background. We operate a democracy and decisions and plans are discussed and agreed by all before they are actioned".

"I look forward to this season first and foremost as a fan but please rest assured we will be pushing this club forward at every opportunity. As always, if you see me please stop me and give me your opinions, thoughts and views on your club…. as ever we are Stronger Together.”

With the election of Phil to the role of Chairman, that left the Vice Chair position vacant and the board unanimously agreed to appoint Neil Spofforth as the new Vice Chair.

Neil will pick up this role alongside the Secretary position he currently holds and will work closely with Phil and the rest of the board to ensure the smooth running of the club on a day to day basis.

THE P

There is little doubt that we would have preferred a better start in our league programme at least but conversations after our defeat to Dunston on Tuesday evening were generally fairly positive rather than the tone of despondency we experienced last season. Although results haven’t exactly gone our way most comments in the bar after the match centred around the quality of the football we are producing and, by and large, our supporters seem pretty much on board with the entertainment we are providing. Certainly one or two things need some fine tuning but the feeling seems to be that things will pick up once we can get a win under our belts.

What better time for that to happen than this afternoon when we take a break from league matters to hopefully continue our progress in the FA Cup competition. This is important to all clubs at our level for two main reasons. Firstly, and probably most importantly, is the financial impact a good cup run can generate. Prize money for getting through the various rounds can get quite significant and managing to progress to the later

qualifying rounds can have a serious impact on matters further down the line once the run has come to its conclusion. It’s common knowledge that Ossett United, almost since inception has been struggling with debts which were out of the current administration’s control. A couple of more rounds might even allow us to start seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

Although Wythenshawe are a Step 5 Club we will have treat them with the utmost respect and be at our best if we are to extend our cup run. They currently sit second top in the North West Counties Premier Division with four wins from four outings and have notched 16 goals in the process. In their preliminary round tie they defeated Bradford based Campion who themselves are no mugs and are unbeaten in three in their league so they will provide formidable opposition.

Secondly a good FA Cup run raises the profile of the Club on a national scale and that can only be of benefit in all kinds of ways. It is normally the case that attendances are above average for FA Cup games as, at Non League level at least, the competition attracts greater interest from near and far. This is one of the main differences between Non League football and the professional game. For Non-

THE PRESIDENT

League clubs the FA Cup is a major attraction whereas clubs at the higher echelons of the game tend to treat the early rounds anyway almost with disdain. Whichever team wins this afternoon will also have the benefit and expectations on Monday for whom they will meet when the draw takes place for the next round.

We want everybody who visits our ground on a match day to enjoy the experience and we certainly don’t want to spoil that but could I make a personal plea for one element of our support base to just tone down their language a notch or two. Remember it is easier to hear everything that is chanted in our environment than in a much larger crowd and although some good natured ‘banter’ is welcome please bear in mind there are young children in attendance and we would like them to look forward to coming to games without having to listen to a barrage of foul and

NEVILLE WIGGLESWORTH

abusive language.

May I finish with a word of sincere thanks to our main sponsors RS Earth who are now embarking on their fifth consecutive season as our main sponsors. We are indeed fortunate to have such a brilliantly enduring relationship with a local Ossett company and we must be the envy of most clubs in our league to maintain the same sponsorship for such a long period. Trying to find much needed sponsorship can be a toil of a job and our gratitude to RS Earth cannot be overestimated.

A warm welcome to the Officials, management team, players and not least the supporters of Wythenshawe for this afternoon’s match. We will endeavour to extend them our hospitality and hopefully they will take away with them a favourable impression of Ossett United Football Club.

THE DUGOUT

GRANT BLACK -MANAGER

can generate not only for the lads on the pitch, but the club as a whole can be huge. It can also offer a break from the league, where we are yet to show our true potential although we have performed well at times during our first few games.

Good Afternoon and welcome home to Ingfield. Today we turn our attention to the world’s oldest and most prestigious cup competition –The FA Cup.

Our visitors – Wythenshawe – have made a strong start to the season and we’ll have to be at the top of our game if we are to progress to the next round.

The momentum a good cup run

As always, enjoy today’s game and get behind the lads. Your backing can help us through to the next round.

All the best

Blackie

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

HARRY COATES -CAPTAIN season and

get another win under our belt.

In the league we will be travelling to Ashington away on Tuesday night. We will be hoping to take some momentum into that fixture and return home from the long journey with points to show from it.

After a disappointing opening start to the season hopefully the break with the FA Cup is what we need. We will be looking to put in a performance like we did in the previous round.

Wythenshawe FC have got off to a great start to their campaign we will be looking to kick start our

From myself and all the lads we thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you all this afternoon.

Enjoy the game Harry.

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OSSETT UNITED OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER

Player’s Number Sponsor

Number 1 Stanley Kelly

Number 2 The Scottish Supporters Club

BACKROOM STAFF

GRANT BLACK – MANAGER

2023/24 WILL BE GRANT’S FIRST FULL SEASON AS OSSETT UNITED MANAGER HAVING JOINED IN OCTOBER 2022 AND OVER SEEING A RE-BUILD OF THE FIRST TEAM SQUAD. GRANT HAS SEEN SUCCESS AT OSSETT TOWN IN HIS FIRST MANAGERIAL ROLE BEFORE ENHANCING HIS REPUTATION BELPER TOWN WHERE HELED THE SIDE TO PROMOTION TO STEP THREE AND AN FA CUP FIRST ROUND MEETING WITH NOTTS COUNTY.

DAVID BROWN – PLAYER/ASSISTANT MANAGER

BROWNIE HAS STEPPED UP FROM A COACHING ROLE TO BECOME ASSISTANT MANAGER THIS SEASON AS HIS OFF-FIELD REPUTATION CONTINUES TO GROW WITH A VARIETY OF INNOVATIVE TRAINING SESSIONS KEEP THE PLAYERS ON THEIR TOES. A REGULAR GOAL SCORER THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, HE WILL LOOK TO ENHANCE THE SIDE ON THE FIELD WHEN CALLED UPON TOO.

RYAN PUGH – GOALKEEPING COACH

RYAN’S PLAYING CAREER SAW HIM FEATURE FOR GOOLE, NEW MILLS, MATLOCK TOWN AND A FAMOUS SPELL AT OSSETT ALBION FONDLY REMEMBERED BY OSSETT TOWN FANS AFTER ONE PARTICULAR OSSETT DERBY (ASK HIM, HE LOVES TALKING ABOUT IT…) PUGHY JOINED GRANT’S BACK-ROOM STAFF AT BELPER TOWN AND HAS PROVEN POPULAR WITH GOALKEEPERS HE HAS WORKED WITH, PUSHING THEM TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE.

ZEPH THOMAS – PLAYER/COACH

ZEPH IS TAKING HIS FIRST STEPS INTO COACHING HAVING HAD A PLAYING CAREER THAT HAS TAKEN HIM TO AMERICA, BELGIUM AND SCOTLAND AS WELL AS 20 APPEARANCES FOR THE SAINT KITTS & NEVIS INTERNATIONAL SIDE. VASTLY EXPERIENCED IN THE NON-LEAGUE GAME, ZEPH WILL BRING A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE TO THE MANAGEMENT TEAM.

EMILY CRISPIN – SPORTS THERAPIST

EMILY IS NOW IN HER FOURTH SEASON WITH THE CLUB AND WORKING UNDER A THIRD MANAGEMENT TEAM SHOWS HOW VALUED SHE IS IN THE DRESSING ROOM ENSURING THE SIDE ARE FULLY PREPARED FOR THE GAME AHEAD.

BACKROOM STAFF

GARY DEVENPORT - SCOUT

DEV WILL SPEND HIS TIME ASSESSING UPCOMING OPPONENTS AND POTENTIAL NEW SIGNINGS THIS SEASON. A KEY ROLE TO THE MANAGEMENT TEAM AS THEY PREPARE THE SIDE AHEAD OF GAMES AS WELL AS ANALYSING VIDEOS OF GAMES. HE WILL BE KNOWN TO MANY SUPPORTERS AS A HOST OF THE FORMER LEEDS UNITED PODCAST ‘TALKING SHUTT’

PLAYERS

JOE GREEN - GOALKEEPER

FORMER GUISELEY, NEWPORT COUNTY AND HYDE UNITED GOALKEEPER, JOE IS STRONG IN STATURE, AN EXCELLENT SHOT STOPPER AND HIS DISTRIBUTION OF THE BALL WILL BE A HUGE ASSET THIS SEASON. JOE MADE HIS PROFESSIONAL DEBUT FOR NEWPORT COUNTY IN THE FA CUP 3RD ROUND AGAINST BLACKBURN ROVERS.

SPONSORED BY THE HANKS FAMILY

JACOB MCLOUGHLIN – DEFENDER

SIGNED IN THE SUMMER OF 2023 HAVING IMPRESSED IN THE FRIENDLIES. STRONG AT THE BACK AND HAS THE ABILITY TO STEP INTO THE MIDFIELD WITH THE BALL TO START ATTACKS, HE WAS MOST RECENTLY AT YORK CITY.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

PADDY MILLER – DEFENDER

PADDY SURPRISED THE NON-LEAGUE WORLD AS HE CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT LAST SEASON TO RETURN TO THE FIELD RE-IGNITING A DEFENSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH HARRY COATES WHICH PROVED SUCCESSFUL AT BOTH HYDE UNITED AND TADCASTER ALBION. PADDY ADDS EXPERIENCE AND A SENSE OF CALM TO ANY SIDE HE IS PART OF.

SPONSORED BY JP NUGENT LTD PLUMBING AND HEATING

EESA NDOW – DEFENDER

FORMER BARNSLEY AND TADCASTER ALBION PLAYER, COMFORTABLE ON THE BALL AND STRONG IN 1V1 SITUATIONS, NDOW IMPRESSED DURING PRE-SEASON TO EARN A DEAL AT THE CLUB FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

JAYDEN JOHN - DEFENDER

A NATURAL LEFT-BACK, JAYDEN IS COMFORTABLE ANYWHERE DOWN THE LEFT SIDE AND COUNTS GUISELEY AND DOVER ATHLETIC AMONGST HIS FORMER CLUBS. HIS IS QUICK, STRONG AND HAS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES YOU’D EXPECT FROM A MODERN FULL BACK

SPONSORED BY LJB JOINERY

HARRY COATES - DEFENDER

A KEY SIGNING LAST SEASON FROM ASHTON UNITED DESPITE BEING CHASED BY NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH AND NPL PREMIER DIVISION SIDES. APPOINTED CLUB CAPTAIN THIS SUMMER. HARRY IS A COMMANDING CENTRAL DEFENDER AND COMFORTABLE WITH THE BALL AT HIS FEET AND MORE THAN CAPABLE TO STEP INTO MIDFIELD.

SPONSORED BY JAMES & DAWN ROGERS

JIMMY BURKE - DEFENDER

BURKEY MADE 46 APPEARANCES FOR THE CLUB BETWEEN 2018 – 2020 AND IS A WELCOME ADDITION TO THE SQUAD. AS WELL AS A SUCCESSFUL FIRST SPELL AT THE CLUB HE PLAYED A KEY ROLE FOR HYDE UNITED AS THEY REACHED THE FIRST ROUND OF THE FA CUP. JIMMY STARTED HIS CAREER AT HUDDERSFIELD TOWN AND MADE HIS EFL DEBUT AFTER TRANSFERRING TO BURY.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

DERRY ROBSON – DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER

TALENTED AND VERSATILE, DEZ IS AS COMFORTABLE IN MIDFIELD AS HE IN AT FULL-BACK. DERRY HAS EXPERIENCE OF PROMOTION FROM STEP FOUR AND WILL ADD DRIVE AND EXPERIENCE TO THE SIDE. DEZ JOINED THE CLUB IN 2022 FROM NPL EAST SIDE CLEETHORPES TOWN.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

JOSH WOODCOCK – DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER

PRIMARILY A RIGHT BACK, JOSH IS COMFORTABLE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE PITCH AS WELL AS FURTHER FORWARD INTO MIDFIELD. THE 21-YEAR-OLD MADE OVER 50 APPEARANCES FORBELPER TOWN AND CAN COUNT

ROTHERHAM UNITED AND LINCOLN CITY AMONG HIS FORMER CLUBS.

SPONSORED BY PAUL COOPER

FABIAN BAILEY – DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER

SIGNED FROM PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES WHERE HE SPENT FOUR SEASONS. FAB IS ABLE TO TURN HIS HAND TO A NUMBER OF POSITIONS AS REQUIRED, HE STARTED HIS CAREER AT ROTHERHAM UNITED AND HAS ALSO HAD SPELLS AT FRICKLEY ATHLETIC AND OSSETT TOWN.

SPONSORED BY RICH CALLAGHAN

COREY GREGORY – MIDFIELDER

CULTURED MIDFIELDER, COREY RETURNS TO INGFIELD AFTER A SPELL AT

BRIGHOUSE TOWN. NO STRANGER TO GRANT BLACK WHO HAS SIGNED HIM FOR

A THIRD TIME HAVING WORKED WITH HIM AT OSSETT TOWN AND BELPER TOWN.

COREY WILL BE A DRIVING FORCE IN THE HEART OF THE PITCH

SPONSORED BY THE ADAMSON FAMILY

JOSH LINDLEY – MIDFIELDER

JOSH HAS SIGNED FOR THE CLUB FROM DONCASTER ROVERS AFTER A SUCCESSFUL LOAN SPELL LAST SEASON WHERE HE SCORED A VITAL GOAL IN THE 1-1 DRAW AT CHAMPIONS WORKSOP TOWN. HARD WORKING AND GOOD ON THE BALL, HE WILL ADD MORE COMPETITION TO AN ALREADY TALENTED MIDFIELD AT THE CLUB’S DISPOSAL.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

JANNI LIPKA - MIDFIELDER

A KEY PLAYER IN THE SUCCESSFUL HYDE UNITED SIDE WHO PLAYED MK DON’S IN THE FA CUP, LIPKA HAS GREAT EXPERIENCE AND HAS PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE FOR THE CLUB SINCE SIGNING LAST SEASON. HAVING HAD AN INJURY INTERRUPTED SEASON LAST YEAR, WITH A FULL PRE-SEASON BEHIND HIM JANNI IS EXPECTED TO GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH THIS SEASON

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

DESMOND AMPONSAH – FORWARD

QUICK AND TRICKY FROM EITHER FOOT, DESMOND IS SURE TO GET THE FANS EXCITED, A REAL DEFENDERS NIGHTMARE. DESMOND SPENT LAST SEASON WITH LIVERSEDGE AND TADCASTER ALBION GAINING NPL EXPERIENCE.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

TJ IBRAHIM – FORWARD

A DYNAMIC WINGER WITH AN EYE FOR GOAL, TJ WAS THE FIRST SUMMER SIGNING JOINING THE CLUB FROM BRIGHOUSE TOWN WHERE HE HAS SPENT THE PAST FIVE SEASONS. TJ HAS GIVEN FULL BACK’S SLEEPLESS NIGHTS OVER RECENT YEARS AND KNOW HOW THEY THINK AS HE IS MORE THAN CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THAT POSITION HIMSELF IF REQUIRED.

SPONSORED BY KEITH & KATH WOOD

SAM KELLY - FORWARD

ANOTHER SUMMER SIGNING AND ONE THAT WILL UNDOUBTABLY EXCITE THE INGFIELD FAITHFUL. TALL, STRONG AND QUICK, SAM WILL ADD A NEW OPTION UPFRONT FOR THE SIDE HAVING SPENT TIME IN AMERICA WHERE HE EARNED A PLACE IN THE TEAM OF THE YEAR THANKS TO HIS PROWESS IN FRONT OF GOAL SCORING 22 GOALS IN 31 APPEARANCES FOR FAULKNER UNIVERSITY EAGLES.

SPONSORED BY SPOFF & KATE

DARNELL MINTUS - FORWARD

DARNELL, WHO CAME THROUGH THE RANKS AT HUDDERSFIELD TOWN, WAS RECOMMENDED TO THE CLUB IN PRE-SEASON AND DID NOT DISAPPOINT. HE HAS A FANTASTIC WORK ETHIC, AND IS DIRECT AND POSITIVE WHEN ON THE BALL

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

ALEX PETERSON - FORWARD

A KEY MEMBER OF THE SIDE, ALEX’S WORK RATE IS SECOND TO NONE AND HE IS A HANDFUL FOR ANY DEFENDER THAT HE COMES UP AGAINST. STRONG AND EXCELLENT IN THE AIR HE IS A FOCAL POINT OF THE OSSETT SIDE BRINGING PLAYERS AROUND HIM INTO THE GAME WHILST ALSO FINISHING ANY CHANCES CREATED

SPONSORED BY MOZ & MARZ

RAFA FERREIRA – FORWARD

A FLAIR PLAYER WHO IMPRESSED IN PRE-SEASON AND EARNT HIMSELF A DEAL AT THE CLUB, RAFA HAS SPENT TIME AT GUISELEY, PICKERING TOWN AND TADCASTER ALBION AHEAD OF JOINING OSSETT UNITED THIS SUMMER.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

THE OPPOSITION

WYTHENSHAWE – A BRIEF HISTORY

The first team have never been relegated in its 77 year history.

Originally founded in 1946 as Wythenshawe Lads' Club by Reg Gauntlet, a local window cleaner, gathering together a group of kids kicking a ball about in the street, started playing friendlies, held meetings with parents in a wooden hut in the grounds of Cringlewood House, Yew Tree Lane. They then set up home by hiring a room in an old farmhouse in Daine Avenue, Rackhouse. A couple of years later Noel Timpson, of Timpson Shoes, purchased two ex-WW2 Nissen huts and sited them within the farmhouse grounds.

Wythenshawe, their first kit being white shirts, black shorts, black socks, first manager Bob Collins, progressed through the Manchester Federation of Lads' Clubs League 1946-49.

In 1949 as the lads grew into maturity and no longer eligible for Lads Club football Harry Dalton developed them into 'The Ammies', changing their name to Wythenshawe Amateurs, managed by Jim Cooper, to provide football for all ages. Dalton was a Sheffield Wednesday supporter hence the Ammies royal blue & white striped kit.

They became members of the South Manchester and Wythenshawe League 1949-53 racing through the lower divisions, top goalscorer being Bob Halliday with an incredible 72 goals in season 1951-52, before securing the First Division Championship in 1953.

They then entered the Altrincham and District League 1953-54. In 1956 Wythenshawe played Manchester United, including Bobby Charlton, in the Altrincham District FA - Whitaker Cup Final. This was a great day for Wythenshawe because not only did they hold a very talented United team to a draw but according to press reports at the time were quite as good as their opponents. After two lots of extra time the score was 1-1, the cup was shared with each team holding it for six months.

Climbing the football pyramid they were accepted into the Lancashire and Cheshire League 1954-72 winning the double in their first season, the Third Division 'A' and Hellawell Shield. Between 1955-57 they achieved the distinction of promotion in three successive seasons, 1955 Third Division 'A’ champions, 1956 Third Division runner-up, 1957 Second Division champions. Also First Division champions 1962 and three time winners of the Rhodes Cup (1958, 1961, 1972).

THE OPPOSITION

They established themselves in the Manchester League in 1972-73 season, winning automatic promotion to the Premier Division by becoming champions of the First Division in their first season, three time champions of the Premier Division (1990, 1993, 2003) runner-up ten times (1980, 1985, 1992, 1994, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2017, 2018) and record winners (7) of the Gilgryst Cup (1986, 1987, 1990, 1999, 2001, 2009, 2018) twice finalist (1980, 1988).

The club led a somewhat nomadic existence, playing their games at Cleveland playing fields 1946-49, Wythenshawe Park 1949-58, The Christie playing fields 1958-61, Federation of Lads' Club Ground Chorlton, later called Harry Dalton playing fields 1961-83, then in 1983 they became tenants at Wythenshawe Cricket Club, Longley Lane, albeit when the football and cricket seasons overlapped the club had to find alternative venues, Flixton FC 2015, St Paul's High School 2016-17, settling at Hollyhedge Park in 2017.

From season 1967-68 the first team took part in the FA Amateur Cup, which in 1974 became the FA Vase, in 1985 they reached the 5th round narrowly losing 2-1 away to the eventual winners Halesowen Town. The previous round saw the Ammies win 6-0 at home to Rushall Olympic before its then largest attendance of 255, tenfold their average, and producing their first ever match programme.

The senior section alone have won over 50 trophies. In 1989-90 the first team, managed by Ray Mallalieu, achieved the treble by winning the Lancashire Amateur Cup, Manchester League Premier and Gilgryst Cup, while the reserves added the Second Division title and the Sunday team winning the Wythenshawe and District Sunday League Challenge Cup.

Although youth teams have sporadically existed since the Lad’s Club days, In 1989 Stephen Hall and Jim Roberts formalised a Junior Section at the club, entering one team, Under 9’s, in the Timperley and District Junior League. In 2019 the youth team entered the FA Youth Cup for the first time. In 2022 the youth development squad became the clubs first team to win a regional league division, champions of the North West Youth Alliance Development Division, and were also finalist in their respective cup in their first season. They also reached the FA Youth Cup, First Round Proper, losing 3-0 away at Bolton Wanderers. In 2023, the Junior section won a club record 13 trophies.

Sunday Chapter:

The Sunday team started in the Wythenshawe & District Sunday League, winning the Challenge Cup in 1990, and winning the League Cup in 2003. They were re-formed in 2012, managed by Paul O’Keefe, immediately

THE OPPOSITION

winning the double, Division 1 champions and cup winners, in the Altrincham Sunday League in 2013. In 2014 they joined the Stockport Sunday League, immediately becoming Division Four champions in 2015, Division Three champions in 2016 with a 100% win record, latter two seasons scoring 359 goals. They made a brief foray into the East Cheshire Sunday League, before returning to the Stockport Sunday League. In 2023 they were champions of Division Two and finalist of the Manchester FA Sunday Amateur Cup.

Women’s Chapter:

In 2009 a Women’s team was formed, managed by Paula Mercer, in 2011 became champions of Cheshire & Manchester Women’s League Division Two East and finalist in their respective cup, then transferred to the Cheshire Women’s & Youth League. In 2018 they finished runner-up in the CW&YL and promoted to the North West Women’s Regional League, also entering the Women’s FA Cup for the first time, beating Accrington Stanley at home 5-1 in the Preliminary Round then bowing out in the 1st Qual.Rd v. Accrington Girls & Ladies at home 1-3 before the women’s then record attendance of 142.

Due to a change to the FA's ground grading requirements in 1996 the club were no longer eligible to enter the FA Vase, on top of that, because they were not allowed to develop the cricket ground, they could not seek promotion in the National League System from the Step 7 Manchester League to the Step 6 North West Counties Football League.

In July 2013 Committee member John Cotton noticed an article for a Budweiser £50,000 regional grant he felt the club could win, he passed the article to then Vice-Chairman Carl Barratt who took up the mantle. Fortune struck on Halloween that year, which changed the future of the club forever, when Barratt received the news that he was successful in winning the grant, this also enabled the club to compete against seven other clubs nationwide for an additional £100,000 in a public Facebook vote during February 2014, they obtained the most votes and secured the additional funds.

The football and cricket clubs workable relationship, in its latter years, became strained and culminated in the Ammies being rendered homeless when evicted by the cricket club in May 2015 after 32 years use. The Hollyhedge Park Project was now, more than ever, an increasingly important chapter in the clubs future. Whilst the project was coming to fruition games were played at Flixton FC and St. Paul's High School, with hospitality at the Winston Conservative Club and Northenden Social Club

THE OPPOSITION

The penning of this crucial chapter recommenced in July 2016 when the club secured funding of £812,000, which included £382,317 from the Premier League & The FA, the £150,000 from Budweiser, £146,000 from the National Lottery, building work began in earnest in February 2017 for a clubhouse, new pitch, drainage, car park and fencing after a new long term lease was finally agreed with the council.

The stadium was completed in September 2017, the first match was played on 30th, drawing 1-1 v. Hindsford in the Manchester League, the 32 year old attendance record was broken with 277, itself subsequently surpassed. Further improvements brought the ground up to Step 6 standard and was officially opened on 6th May 2018 by former England & Manchester United captain Bryan Robson.

Promotion was gained in May 2018 when the FA allocated the first team to a restructured North West Counties Football League, this meant that the club was competing at semi-professional level for the first time, they finished a creditable fourth in the First Division South in their first season. In 2019 the first team returned to the national stage when they re-entered the FA Vase.

The following season 2020-21, they made their debut in the FA Cup, in the Extra Preliminary Round beat Shelley at home 4-2 in a memorable penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in 90 mins, exited in the Preliminary Round v. Trafford at home 1-4.

They improved on that the following season, 2022-23, arguably the clubs most successful, with a first team double, winning automatic promotion to the Premier Division by becoming champions, their first ever semiprofessional title, then adding the First Division Champions Cup, reserves won the Altrincham District FA Senior Cup, Sunday team champions of the Stockport Sunday League, Division Two. Junior section a club record 13 trophies.

Sacha Lord, co-founder of the music festival Parklife and The Warehouse Project, in April 2023 joined the Board and installed as Chair in June 2023. Barratt, appointed as Chair in 2019, remained on the Board as Vice-Chair. June 2023, the club changed its name, dropping ‘Amateurs’, becoming Wythenshawe Football Club, with the playing name of Wythenshawe.

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FA Cup 2023-24 Preliminary Round Preview

- 272 clubs are involved in the FA Cup Preliminary Round as the remaining Step 4 teams join those from Steps 4 to 6 which made it through the Extra Preliminary Round, including FA Cup debutante Okehampton Argyle, the only Step 6 club to definitely be involved in this round so far.

- 6 other debutant clubs have made it through as well including Wallingford and Crowmarsh who will host Marlow FC, a club from the other end of FA Cup experience spectrum, who are involved in their 142nd campaign and are former Semi-Finalists to boot.

- 3 clubs have posted their first FA Cup win this season so are involved in this round for the very first time. Darlaston Town are only in their second campaign, but both Lakenheath FC and MK Irish have achieved it at the 3rd attempt.

- 13 other clubs are equalling their best FA Cup runs by participating in this season’s Preliminary Round with West Essex appearing at this stage for the 6th time in their seven campaigns to date.

- 8 ties will result in the winning club either setting or equalling their best ever FA Cup run to the 1st Qualifying Round.

- 35 ties involve clubs that have met in the FA Cup before. West Auckland Town versus Shildon FC, Congleton Town versus Witton Albion, and Epson and Ewell versus Metropolitan Police are all happening for the 7th time, whilst Nantwich Town and Penrith FC have had to wait 57 and 59 years respectively to avenge past Cup defeats against Skelmersdale United and Consett FC.

- 5 times now Tavistock FC have been drawn to face Barnstaple Town in the FA Cup and the club has every reason to be concerned this time around having lost all four previous Cup encounters between the two clubs, scoring just three goals and conceding twenty-two in the process.

- 31 ties involve clubs that will meet each other in League action this season with six teams from Northern League Division One and six from Northern Premier League Division One East being the most involved of all the leagues represented.

- 103 years ago Jump WMC lost 1-0 to Kilnhurst United in a 1920/21 Extra Preliminary Round replay and that tie had been, until this season’s Preliminary Round where Jersey Bulls take on Knaphill FC, the only instance of a ‘J’ club facing a ‘K’ club in FA Cup history!

UP PHIL ANNETS

Phil Annets is a data provider to the FA and the author of the shortlisted Football Book of the Year - ‘FA Cup 150’

You can order his book at www.facupfactfile.co.uk or follow him on Twitter @FACupFactfile

CLUB HISTORY

Ossett United was created on 1 June 2018 following the merger of Ossett Town AFC (est. 1936) and Ossett Albion AFC (est. 1944). Both Ossett Town and Ossett Albion had managed to gain Northern Premier League status and maintain that level of football for a remarkable period of time.

The two clubs merged under the leadership of a new board brought together from the two previous clubs. The Club made its new home Ingfield, the previous home of Ossett Town, and used Dimple Wells, the previous home of Ossett Albion, as its Ladies and Academy Team base.

Despite a successful first season on the pitch, off field things were not as successful with a number of board resignations and some challenging financial issues to deal with following the merger. By the end of the 2018/19 season, Phil Smith had taken on the mantle of club chairman with Stuart Garside, Steve Hanks, Paul Billing, Neil Spofforth and Joe Hanks joining the board.

There were more troubles for Ossett United in November 2019 as a significant and unprecedented court case, dating back to a tackle in 2015 when Ossett Town were playing Radcliffe Borough, was lost with United facing legal and damages costs amounting to £135,000. Fortunately, the club received a generous loan from two of its closest supporters to avoid the club going into liquidation (at worst) or selling the Ingfield ground (at best).

CLUB HISTORY

Despite a successful first season on the pitch, off field things were not as successful with a number of board resignations and some challenging financial issues to deal with following the merger. By the end of the 2018/19 season, Phil Smith had taken on the mantle of club chairman with Stuart Garside, Steve Hanks, Paul Billing, Neil Spofforth and Joe Hanks joining the board.

There were more troubles for Ossett United in November 2019 as a significant and unprecedented court case, dating back to a tackle in 2015 when Ossett Town were playing Radcliffe Borough, was lost with United facing legal and damages costs amounting to £135,000. Fortunately, the club received a generous loan from two of its closest supporters to avoid the club going into liquidation (at worst) or selling the Ingfield ground (at best).

James Rogers and Phil Smith swapped roles due to Smith’s work commitments with Rogers taking on the role as Chairman, a role he had previously held at Ossett Town. 2020 also saw the club declare Dimple Wells as surplus to requirements and made arrangements to surrender the lease making Ingfield the single home of the united club.

GROUND IMPROVEMENTS

With the off-field rollercoaster settling down the Board progressed numerous ground improvements at Ingfield with the replacement of the pitch side barrier and installation of LED floodlights being completed in 2021 before attention turned to improving the changing room facilities which took shape in the summer of 2023 thanks to further grants from the Football Foundation.

The extension includes an additional match official room, two offices and a medical room as well as a larger, modern changing room that will become fully operational by the summer of 2024.

The Boardroom has also been strengthened in the summer of 2023 with Dawn Rogers and Kate Hennighan taking their place alongside the eight members already in place.

CLUB HISTORY

On the pitch, the first year (2018/19) was a remarkable success with attendances significantly increased from what either club had experienced previously, coupled with success on the pitch reaching the play-off semi-final and winning the County Cup, under the guidance of manager Andy Welsh.

Following the departure of Andy Welsh a couple of months in to the 2019/20 season Wayne Benn, assisted by Chick Hayward, oversaw two covid hit seasons. Hopes were high after a positive pre-season in 2021/22 with Benn reshaping the squad. The season started well with Ossett United in the top half of the table but a run of only one win in three months saw a change in the dugout at Christmas with Jas Collvier and Mark Ward taking a joint managerial role.

The season ended well with the pair unbeaten at Ingfield with seven wins and two draws but away from home inconsistent performances and results saw a ninth placed finish in only the clubs second completed season.

Colliver and Ward strengthened the squad throughout pre-season, and despite on paper the squad looking as strong as it ever had, results did not match expectations. Mark Ward resigned in September with Colliver taking sole charge before leaving the club by mutual consent the following month.

Grant Black became the clubs fourth permanent manager in October 2022, winning his first game in charge, 2-0 at the eventual play-off champions Long Eaton United and only tasting defeat twice in his first 16 games.

Results tailed off as the season ended with the club finishing in 15 th place but the management team had a clear plan in place for the type of player they wanted to bring in ahead of the 2023/24 season with their and the clubs ambition being a much higher finish than recently experienced.

Data provided by Club Statistician – Geoff Pyke

Away

Tuesday 22nd August – 7:45pm

Pitching-In NPL East Division vs Ashington AFC

Home

Saturday 26th August – 3pm

Pitching-In NPL East Division vs Stockton Town

Away

Monday 28th August – 3pm

Pitching-In NPL East Division vs Pontefract Collieries

Home Saturday 2nd September – 3pm

Pitching-In NPL East Division vs Grantham Town

Joe GREEN

Fabian BAILEY

Jimmy BURKE

Harry COATES

Jayden JOHN

Jacob McLOUGHLIN

Paddy MILLER

Essa NDOW

Josh WOODCOCK

Corey GREGORY

Darnell MINTUS

Dec O’HARE

Rafa FERREIRA

Josh LINDLEY

Derry ROBSON

Zak DEARNLEY

TJ IBRAHIM

Desmond AMPONSAH

Sam KELLY

Alex PETERSON

Charlie REANEY

Kyle HASLAM

Christopher HOWARD

Adam OWEN

Ryan SHENTON

Luke WORTH

Fraser GOODWIN

Arron HEVINGHAM

Bryan LY

Saul HENDERSON

Adam DAVIES

Darrhyl MASON

Joel AIKENHEAD

Declan LAMB

Joshua TINKER

Samuel DICKOV

Paul RILEY

Joseph BEVAN

J’Nai BUTTERFIELD-STEEDE

Isaac GRAHAM