A number of departures and arrivals at Farsley Celtic Football Club have been announced at this week.
The club this evening confirmed the departure of popular midfielder Danny Greenfield, who only joined The Celts in the summer. He has left to join fellow National League North side Radcliffe FC.
A statement on the club website said: “While we didn’t want Danny to leave, and we have had a number of transfer offers for him, one of the offers allowed him to link back up with him former management team.
“We realise that the opportunity was too good for the player to refuse and he goes with our best wishes and we wish him every success with his new team.”
This week saw the National League lift a transfer embargo which the club had been under since September.
Former management duo Clayton Donaldson and Danny Ellis, who were relieved of their duties in September, had still been registered as players at the club. This week Donaldson joined York City as development coach, while Ellis joined Liversedge as a player and assistant manager.
The club also saw popular backroom staff Gareth Liversidge, Tom Morgan and Jake Lofthouse depart. Manager Pav Singh, who replaced Donaldson in September, this evening paid tribute to their impact at the club.
Singh said: “As Gareth Liversidge steps away from his role after 18 incredible years at Farsley Celtic AFC, it’s hard to find the right words to express just how much he has meant to me, the players, the managers, and the supporters.”
On Morgan and Lofthouse, Singh added: “The love and respect I have for you both is something I can’t put into words, but I want to make sure you know just how much I value our relationship.”
Stalwart defender Tom Allan left two weeks ago to join Bridlington after refusing to travel to Buxton for home games. As previously reported, midfielders Alex Kiwomya and Sam Leverett also left the club last month following limited first team opportunities.
New arrivals
This evening the Celts announced several new arrivals, including one permanent transfer, three loan signings and two promotions from the club’s youth set up as they look to bolster their squad.
Defender Isaac Abankwah joined Farsley on a permanent deal from Wythenshawe Town. Abankwah may be familiar to Celts fans as the defender featured against Pav Singh’s side back in September in the FA Cup tie, which Farsley won 1-0.
A club statement added: “A versatile and tough defender, Isaac will be a huge asset to the team and bolsters the number of options for Farsley in the defensive areas.”
Defender Aaron Pickles, 19, joined today on a one-month loan from Accrington Stanley. Pickles has made one appearance in League Two during the 2024/25 season and now joins Farsley in search of first-team action, whilst bolstering defensive options.
Left back Hayden Pickard also joined the club on loan from League One side Barnsley.
A club announcement said: “The left-back, who can also be deployed as a winger, will bring pace and creativity to Pav Singh’s side. A product of the well-renowned Barnsley youth academy, Hayden has made numerous appearances for the Tykes at youth level in the FA Youth Cup, as well as appearing in the EFL Trophy.”
And the club confirmed the loan signing of keeper Kieran Flavell, as Manchester United loanee Tom Wooster is out injured. Flavell became Farsley’s fourth goalkeeper of the season when he played in last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Kidderminster.
Will Morrissey and Tom Priestley-Standing today both signed terms with the first team. The club said their impressive performances in the Emerging Talent Squad, alongside Morrissey’s impact on loan at Thackley, have earned them a place in the first team squad.
The club this week also announced a new first team shirt sponsor for the remainder of the 2024/25 season as well as the 2025/26 campaign. Ohana Mua to become the club’s new front of shirt sponsor.
Farsley CEO Jon Wickham said: “I’m thrilled to get this partnership finalised! Ohana Mua is a great organisation with fantastic values and a truly progressive and forward thinking outlook. This relationship fits us perfectly and we are excited to grow with Ohana Mua over the next two years, and we look forward to a long and positive relationship!”
The announcements come as Farsley prepare to play their 30th consecutive game away from The Citadel due to stalled work on a new 4G pitch. They are due to travel to Bamber Bridge for an FA Trophy tie tomorrow (Saturday).
Farsley’s ‘home’ games are being played at Buxton FC’s Tarmac Silverlands Stadium until at least the end of December.
As reported by the BBC, Farsley Celtic Supporters’ Club have passed a motion of no confidence in chairman Paul Barthorpe, but the owner has said delays in resurfacing the pitch were “unforeseen and unavoidable”.
The club added that the renovation was a “significant £1m development to secure the club’s long-term future”, with Farsley set to continue playing home matches at Buxton until Christmas.