By John Baron
FC Farsley have been made to wait for their return to semi-professional football.
The Throstle Nest club had hoped the men’s first team would be placed into Step 6 of the National League System for the 2026/2027 season.
But yesterday’s non-league allocations revealed the club, which was taken over by the Stockdale family last December, had been unsuccessful in its application.
A club statement said it was focussing on ensuring the club is placed at Step 7 for next season, and ‘continuing to build momentum across all areas of the organisation’.
The statement, which can be read in full here, said the club had ‘done everything possible’ to present itself for Step 6 consideration.
Owner and former Premier League goalkeeper David Stockdale said: “There is always ambition within the club, and naturally we would like to be further along in the pyramid.
“We genuinely feel we have done everything we possibly could within the application process, so there is disappointment that it hasn’t resulted in Step 6.
“That said, we respect the decision and our focus now is on ensuring we are correctly placed at Step 7 and continuing to build the club in the right way for the long term.”
Katie Stockdale added: “This has been a really thorough process for everyone involved, and we feel proud of the effort that has gone into our application. Of course, it is disappointing when you feel you have done everything you can and it is still not enough at this stage.
“However, we remain positive about the future and fully committed to continuing to grow FC Farsley in the right way. There is a strong belief in what we are building, and that will not change.”
The Stockdales inherited a difficult situation.
The men’s first team finished bottom of National League North in 2024-25 after a tumultuous season which saw fan protests against the previous owner and the team play every game away from home in Buxton.
The issues followed failed attempts to install a new artificial playing surface at the ground. The new pitch is still to be installed.
The club was relegated three divisions before withdrawing the men’s first team from the Northern Counties East League last June as the club entered a transitional period ahead of the Stockdales’ takeover.
December saw the liquidation of Farsley Celtic to form phoenix club FC Farsley.
The club’s development, women’s and deaf sides all continued to play last season and the board has been building up the club’s connections with the community, running events and activities and launching the FC Farsley in the Community arm.
Refurbishment work has also been carried out in the clubhouse and sports hall.
The club says further updates regarding league allocation and other developments will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed.
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