Ossett United F.C.

Ossett Town, formed in 1936, and Ossett Albion (1944) are two clubs with longstanding and proud histories who spent the majority of the last two decades competing in the Northern Premier League. On occasion challenging at the top end but for much of the time a mid-table position given the resources of both clubs was considered a success.

In January 2018 discussions between the clubs began to merge the two; believing one club as a single United entity would be the best way forward.[1]

On June 1, 2018 those talks became reality after a two-year process was condensed into six short months. Ossett United Football Club was born following a ratification process by The Football Association.

To protect the interests of both Ossett Albion and Town, and to ensure the merger was just that and not seen as a takeover of one by the other shares were split equally between Ossett Albion (2016) Ltd and Ossett Town Ltd with both nominating three board members each.

Andy Welsh was appointed as the clubs first manager,[2] Alex McQuade the first captain. As far as on the field goes the first season will long remain in the memory of those involved. A fifth placed finish in the league meant a play-off place whilst silverware was won by the senior club in the form of the west Riding County cup thanks to a victory against National League North side Guiseley.[3]

The u23s won a cup too and the ladies went one better winning their league and cup and are progressing very well.

On field success came at a cost and following a review of the season there were changes in the board room and the club’s budgets were reassessed.

Despite this, the majority of the side returned for the 2019/20 season, but results dipped, in November Andy Welsh and the board felt it was time for a change in the dugout.[4]

Around this time our landlords, Ossett Town Ltd received the news that following the unfortunate injury to a player some years earlier a court case had been lost and were hit with a bill for £135,000[5] – the only asset available to them is Ingfield, our home.

Not wanting to have to find a new home Ossett United lead a fundraising campaign to save Ingfield whilst our plight was shared to a wider audience with Sky Sports, TalkSPORT, BBC Sport and many local and national media outlets broadcast the news.

This is just another setback in our early life but one that we will and are going to overcome.

Wayne Benn was appointed manager[6] in November 2019 with Andy Hayward as his assistant and made in instant impact thanks to a 3-2 victory in their first game – the clubs first league win in two months.

Into 2020 and the second half of the league season, Benn has had time to assess the squad and make some change and with that good performances have started to bring results.

There is no quick fix and it certainly won’t be easy but with everyone pulling in the same direction and having the same goal in mind – football success in Ossett – the club will continue taking small but sustainable steps in the right direction.

• West Riding County Cup: Winners, 2018-19

As of June 2020[7]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player GK Max Dearnley DF Jimmy Burke DF Eddie Busfield DF Ross Hardaker DF Jack Cowgill DF Harry Viggars DF Cameron Clark DF Eddie Cass MF Luke Hogg

No. Position Player MF George Green MF Jack Stockdill (captain) MF Elliot Harrison MF Aaron Haswell FW Nash Connolly FW Nathan Keightley FW Tom Greaves FW Nick Guest FW Seon Ripley

• Best League Position: 5th in Northern Premier League Division One East, 2018-19
• Best FA Cup Performance: Second Qualifying Round, 2019-20
• Best FA Trophy Performance: Second Qualifying Round, 2018–19
• Record League Attendance: 618 vs Brighouse Town, 1 January 2019
• Record Cup Attendance: 1,118 vs AFC Guiseley, West Riding County Cup Final, 9 April 2019