Farsley Celtic have announced the formation of a new veteran’s team, made up of former players at the semi-professional football club.
The team has played in friendly games at The Citadel in the past couple of years, most recently fielding two ‘Legends’ sides at the inaugural Farsley Football Festival on Sunday – a friendly tournament one of the legends sides won. It’s unclear which league the new veterans side will be playing in, but it will be led two Legends team captains Lee Connor and Mark Bett.
Both are without Farsley legends in their own right, enjoying successful playing and assistant managerial roles, with Lee assisting Neil Parsley and John Deacey and more recently Mark being Adam Lakeland’s assistant.
Farslery Celtic chairman Paul Barthorpe said: “I am delighted that we are bringing a number of our ex players back home to the club.
“Their passion, winning mentality and love for the club is a hugely positive influence that we can all benefit from. Many of the players I have had the pleasure of getting to know are Farsley through and through and have enjoyed being back at the club and pulling on the shirt again, and will be more competitive than ever in representing the club once more!”
Lee Connor said: “I first signed from Bradford (Park Avenue) when Martin Haresine was gaffer, I stayed for three seasons, winning the players’ player, supporters’ player and manager’s player of the year. I returned to Farsley a second time when Lee Sinnott was in charge after a spell with Ashton FC.
“I then returned to Farsley a third time after appearing for Stalybridge Celtic when the club won promotion to the Evostik league. I stayed on as a player and myself and Mark Jackson performed a good partnership in defence.
“After retiring, Clive Freeman – who I was mates with – persuaded me to return to playing at 41 years old and i returned to Farsley for a final time as assistant to Pars and John Deacey.
“I’ve had some great memories with Farsley and still in touch with a lot of the ex players and fans, and have really enjoyed turning out in the Farsley colours on the last two legends events.”
Mark Bett added: “My time at Farsley was an unbelievable time for me, I started as a 20 year old lad new to semi-pro level, but I was a raw player and relished the challenge. I was lucky to have a good manager and a good set of lads too! Throughout my time at the club we went on to win leagues and cups, I can’t remember how many but I was happy to add another one last weekend.
“As my playing career wound down I joined the managerial staff as Adam Lakeland’s assistant where we enjoyed further success and promotion!
“It’s great to be back here playing again, and I’m looking forward to representing Farsley Celtic again competitively!”
- Meanwhile, 18-year-old Farsley Celtic forward Joao Silva has received his first international call up for the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malawi and Liberia.