| Full name | Garforth Town Association Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Miners | ||
| Founded | 1964, as Miners Arms | ||
| Ground | Genix Healthcare Stadium, Garforth Leeds (Capacity: 3,000) |
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| Chairman | Simon Clifford | ||
| Manager | Steve Nichol[1] | ||
| 2010–11 | NPL Division One North, 13th | ||
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Garforth Town Association Football Club are an English football team based in Garforth, West Yorkshire. They currently play in the Northern Premier League Division One North, the 8th level of the English football pyramid.
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The club was formed during 1964 by people from the Yorkshire town of Garforth, as a local pub team called Miners Arms. At the time Garforth had no pitch to play on, so their home games were played in nearby Swillington. The team stepped up to the West Yorkshire League, a Saturday football league, in 1976. At the same time they acquired their own ground in Garforth, a former rubbish dump on Brierlands Lane.
The team were forced to change their name to Garforth Miners to gain election into the Yorkshire Football League in 1978, pub teams not being allowed in the league. Garforth Miners won promotion from Division 3 in 1980. They finished 3rd in 1982, one point behind champions Harrogate Town. On joining the newly formed Northern Counties East Football League (NCEL), Garforth were placed in Division 1 North. They changed their name again in 1985 to their current name. Also that year, after a league reshuffle, Garforth were placed in Division 2, winning promotion at the first attempt. Town remained in Division 1 until winning the title in 1998, gaining promotion to the NCEL Premier Division. Town started brightly in their first season and finished in 8th position, also reaching the final of the NCEL Presidents Cup losing to North Ferriby United on aggregate. Garforth won two cups in 1999-00 but league-wise this and following seasons were spent battling relegation. Garforth finished bottom of the table in 2001-02 but were reprieved after South Yorkshire club Denaby United folded. At the end of the following season Town were not so fortunate, despite occupying mid-table for the first half of the season Town's performances worsened in the second, sliding into bottom spot on the last day and were subsequently relegated.
At the second attempt, after a shaky start they won promotion back to the Premier Division in 2005. In 2006-07 Garforth finished 4th and were promoted to the Northern Premier League, also reaching the final of the NCEL League Cup, losing narrowly on penalties to Mickleover Sports. In their first season in the higher league Town finished 10th which remains their highest placing in this division, although they did manage a respectable 13th in 2010-11, an improvement on seasons 08-09 and 09-10.
In the FA Vase, Garforth reached the 6th round in 1987, losing 1-2 to London side Collier Row (now known as Romford). The 4th round was reached in 1999, going out to Sudbury Wanderers.
In the FA Cup, Garforth have never been beyond the 2nd Qualifying Round, although came close to bettering this in 2008-09, losing in a replay to Guiseley.
Garforth played their first FA Trophy game in 2007, although losing at the first attempt. The furthest Town have managed is the 1st Qualifying Round in 2008-09 and 2010-11, losing in replays to Romulus and Radcliffe Borough respectively.
Garforth won the West Riding County Cup in 1998, 2000 and 2009, overcoming in the final Liversedge, Eccleshill United and Bradford Park Avenue respectively. The trophy was successfully defended in 2010, the Miners overcoming North West Counties League side Barnoldswick Town. In 1997 Town won the Northern Counties East Football League Trophy (more commonly known as the Wilkinson Sword Trophy). They were also finalists of this competition in 2004, losing on aggregate to Hall Road Rangers.
Garforth moved to their current stadium, Genix Healthcare Stadium, in 1998. The stadium was originally named Wheatley Park, after Michael Wheatley, whose company built it in conjunction with a new housing estate built around the same time. It has also been known as The Marston's Stadium, as part of a sponsorship deal with Marston's brewery. It received its current name in 2006, this time being sponsored by a local dentist, also their current shirt sponsor. The main stand itself has been known as the 'Safer Roads Stand' and in the last few years was renamed The Norman Hebbron Stand in honour of the long-serving club president.
During the 1990s a few ex-Leeds United players turned out for Garforth, including Brendan Ormsby and Gary Williams. Bury striker Andy Morrell played a few games for Town in 1998-99 before signing for Wrexham, and in the same season Andy Watson was signed by Doncaster Rovers for £25000, a club record. Ex Sheffield United, Burnley and Scunthorpe United striker John Francis played for Garforth in 2001-02, scoring 11 goals.
During 2003 Simon Clifford bought the club, eliminating the club's previous £100,000 debts and made clear that he had strong ambitions for the club's future with hopes of climbing up the league pyramid.[2] Clifford's is known for his strong connections to Brazilian football; he has brought Brazilian coaching methods to the United Kingdom with his string of ICFDS (International Confederation of Futebol de Salão) footballing academies.
After the resignation of Jimmy Martin early in 2004-05 Clifford took over management of the first team himself and went on to guide the Miners to two promotions in three seasons, seeing them where they are today. In October 2009 he stepped down from first team duties, leaving Steve Nichol and Richard Sutherland in charge.
Despite the Yorkshire club's low level in terms of leagues, they gained massive press attention, both national and international, in 2004-05 with the signing of Brazil player Sócrates on a one month deal as a player-coach.[2] He played just once, coming on as a substitute 12 minutes from time, against Tadcaster Albion, in front of a crowd of 1,385. Also in that campaign, former England and Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe played for the club, scoring 4 goals.[2]
ICFDS graduate Jason St Juste made a few appearances for Garforth before signing for Darlington and then Southampton. St Juste returned for a second stint during the 2006-07 season, helping Town to promotion. In 2008-09 he moved to Norwegian Second Division side Sandnes Ulf, but returned to England in December 2010. He played one game for Garforth before moving to Chester F.C. on loan until the end of the season.
Garforth confirmed the arrival of another former Brazilian international, Careca, who came out of retirement and spent time at the club during the 2005-06 season. Carlos Alberto Torres briefly visited in summer 2006.
On 26 September 2010, it was announced that former England player Paul Gascoigne had become manager of the club. However Gascoigne apparently changed his mind at the last minute and it was announced on 7 October 2010 that the deal had fallen through.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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The following former international players have played for Garforth Town:
1997-98 - NCEL Division 1 Champions - Played 28, Won 23, Drew 3, Lost 2, Scored 77, Conceded 17, Points 72.
2,428 v Chester FC, 29 April 2011.
11-0 v Blidworth Welfare, 8 November 1997.
0-8 v Nelson F.C. (FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round), 22 September 2001.
Greg Kelly - 75 goals (65 league) in 6 seasons (03-04 to 08-09).