Words: John Baron | Photos: John McEvoy
The community came out in force to mark the return of men’s first team football to Farsley yesterday (Saturday).
The last game to be played in the village saw Farsley Celtic avoid relegation in April 2024 – the last game of the 2023-24 season – a 2-0 win against Buxton to preserve their National League North status.
A lot has changed since then – a disastrous attempt to dig up the main pitch and replace it with a 3G, ‘home’ games being played in Buxton, relegation, new owners, the liquidation of Farsley Celtic and the formation of FC Farsley. It’s been quite the soap opera.
But the Farsley public turned out in force to show their support yesterday – with more than 460 people attending phoenix club FC Farsley’s first home game.
A team in blue playing at Throstle Nest, at long last! It’s true to say emotions were running high among those who attended.
It was a day for old friendships to be rekindled, a clubhouse packed with people laughing and drinking. It was a time for people to come together to welcome the return of their club after so long.
The pitch (behind the sports hall while the stadium awaits its 3G) was in remarkably good nick despite the drought, thanks to the hard work of volunteers. The new dugouts and barriers looked smart, alongside the recently refurbished clubhouse. Even the programme looked smart!
In many respects the result didn’t matter. The day was about so much more than that. It was about people coming together as a community.
For the record, FC Farsley lost 5-2 in a hugely entertaining game to a well-organised Collegians outfit, Lewis Hanse scoring twice.
Although the margin of defeat was comprehensive, Farsley created a lot of chances, only to be denied by a combination of poor finishing, bad luck and some fine keeping by Collegians’ in-form stopper.
As a new team Farsley are yet to gel, which is understandable. There’s been enough in the opening two games (both defeats) to suggest results will improve.
Manager (and owner) David Stockdale was disappointed in his team’s performance, particularly during a first half where they conceded four goals. “We weren’t good enough, they wanted it more. I don’t know if the crowd and the occasion got the better of them. We’ve only been together six weeks at a team.
“I’ll take the positives – we had probably five one on ones that we didn’t take, but if you’re conceding five – anywhere, not just at home – it’s a big uphill climb.”
Up next is a trip on Wednesday evening to Bracken Edge to play Yorkshire Ammers, 7.30pm. Next Saturday, Farsley are back at Throstle Nest to entertain Ealandians (2pm).
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