A look back at 2015…part one

2015 has proved to be once again a superb year for a number of our Yorkshire sides. The likes of Guiseley, Shaw Lane Aquaforce and Pontefract Collieries celebrated promotion. Wembley was reached by one side, while another two came close. There was also plenty of manager changes too so let’s look back at the first part of the year. Stay tuned for part two.

Ossett players celebrate club captain Steven Jeff's only goal of the game against Padiham. Photo: Mark Gledhill

Ossett players celebrate club captain Steven Jeff’s only goal of the game against Padiham. Photo: Mark Gledhill

Mike Morris in action for Harrogate Railway against Farsley AFC. Picture: Caught Light Photography

Mike Morris in action for Harrogate Railway against Farsley AFC. Picture: Caught Light Photography

Nathan Cartman secured a move to Darlington 1883. Photo: Caught Light Photography

Nathan Cartman secured a move to Darlington 1883. Photo: Caught Light Photography

January

  • Harrogate Railway defender Mike Morris breaks his leg during his side’s defeat at Farsley AFC on New Year’s Day.
  • Steven Jeff’s free kick lifts the pressure on relegation-threatened Ossett Town in their must-win clash with doomed Padiham.
  • Shaw Lane Aquaforce beat Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title rivals Tadcaster Albion at home thanks to Lee Morris’ goal.
  • Alan Semley replaces Curtis Woodhouse in the Goole’s manager seat. He has to quickly recruit almost a whole team for the home game with Sutton Coldfield Town. Woodhouse became the Hull United boss a week later.
  • Nathan Cartman’s incredible form for Harrogate Railway earns him a move to Darlington 1883.
  • The FA Vase adventure continues for Tadcaster and Shaw Lane, who beat Brocton and Walsall Wood respectively.
  • AFC Emley suffer a setback when one of their floodlights collapses.
Graham Nicholas guided Garforth Town to the West Riding County Cup final

Graham Nicholas guided Garforth Town to the West Riding County Cup final

This is the way to Wembley Joe! Lee Morris runs away after scoring the winner for Shaw Lane Aquaforce in the FA Vase fifth round win over Flackwell

This is the way to Wembley Joe! Lee Morris runs away after scoring the winner for Shaw Lane Aquaforce in the FA Vase fifth round win over Flackwell

Rudy Funk is dismissed after haranguing the referee and is sent on the long walk of shame as Mansfield's miserable day is completed against Tadcaster in the FA Vase

Rudy Funk is dismissed after haranguing the referee and is sent on the long walk of shame as Mansfield’s miserable day is completed against Tadcaster in the FA Vase

February

  • Garforth Town pull off a stunning West Riding County Cup semi-finals victory at Harrogate Town in tough conditions. The win was a huge shock as Conference North outfit Harrogate fielded a strong side.
  • Bradford (Park Avenue) join them in the final after winning at Tadcaster. Controversy then follows as it transpires that Alex Pursehouse was ineligible to play in the semi-final. The County FA order a replay which Avenue win.
  • Tadcaster and Shaw Lane progress in the FA Vase again – Tadcaster win at AFC Mansfield and Shaw Lane come from behind to beat Flackwell.
Shaw Lane captain Sam Denton and goalkeeper Ben Gathercole look deflated after Shaw Lane lost the FA Vase quarter-final replay at Glossop

Shaw Lane captain Sam Denton and goalkeeper Ben Gathercole look deflated after Shaw Lane lost the FA Vase quarter-final replay at Glossop

March

  • Shaw Lane and Tadcaster are knocked out of the FA Vase at the quarter-finals replay stage. Shaw Lane lost 3-1 at Glossop North End after extra-time. Aquaforce were leading 1-0 with three minutes of normal time remaining. Tadcaster are out after being beaten by Highworth – a game that was marred by crowd violence.
  • It gets worse for Shaw Lane as they are then beaten by title rivals Worksop, who go ten points. Worksop supporters even start planning their promotion parties. Their manager Mark Shaw also comes up with the quote of the year by saying he feels “invincible” and that Shaw Lane “have too many games to play and they look jaded”.
  • Shaw Lane, who trail Worksop by 13 points, then lose to Liversedge, but end the month strongly by beating Heanor, Parkgate and Retford.
  • Nostell Miners Welfare surprise many when James Kitson scores a last minute winner at Maltby Main in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup semi-finals. It books Nostell’s place in the final for the first ever time.
  • North Ferriby United win at Wembley in the FA Trophy Final – seeing off Wrexham after a penalty shootout.
Former Pontefract Collieries captain Nigel Danby (left) and manager Nick Handley (right) celebrate winning promotion back in April

Former Pontefract Collieries captain Nigel Danby (left) and manager Nick Handley (right) celebrate winning promotion back in April

Glory moment: Nick Guest kisses the Hemsworth badge after scoring the third goal in the GroundHop weekend demolition of AFC Emley

Glory moment: Nick Guest kisses the Hemsworth badge after scoring the third goal in the GroundHop weekend demolition of AFC Emley

Sam Denton lifts the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division trophy in April for Shaw Lane

Sam Denton lifts the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division trophy in April for Shaw Lane

Bradford (Park Avenue) hero Chib Chilaka with Chris Howarth and Jamie Price after their West Riding County Cup triumph in April

Bradford (Park Avenue) hero Chib Chilaka with Chris Howarth and Jamie Price after their West Riding County Cup triumph in April

April

Kieron Wells celebrates during Handsworth's incredible comeback win in the League Cup final

Kieron Wells celebrates during Handsworth’s incredible comeback win in the League Cup final

Paul Marshall was manager of Tadcaster for seven years until his departure in May

Paul Marshall was manager of Tadcaster for seven years until his departure in May

New Tadcaster boss Billy Miller (left) was replaced by Lee Ashforth (right) at Harrogate Railway

New Tadcaster boss Billy Miller (left) was replaced by Lee Ashforth (right) at Harrogate Railway

Shaw Lane striker Adam Priestley was one of Craig Elliott's early summer signings

Shaw Lane striker Adam Priestley was one of Craig Elliott’s early summer signings

Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn won Non League Yorkshire's manager of the year vote

Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn won Non League Yorkshire’s manager of the year vote

May

  • Frickley win the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup final at Rotherham’s New York Stadium. Despite Rob Bordman’s mesmerising free kick, Nostell lost 4-1 to a Reece Thompson-inspired Frickley.
  • Handsworth Parramore incredibly overturned a 3-1 deficit in the last ten minutes of the NCEL League Cup Final to beat Cleethorpes Town 4-3. Sam Smith scored the winning goal from the penalty spot – his last kick in a Handsworth shirt.
  • Guiseley reach the top-flight of Non League for the first time. Mark Bower’s side defeat Chorley after coming from 2-0 down in the Conference North play-offs final.
  • Bridlington Town dramatically beat Hull United in the East Riding Senior Cup final.
  • Hull United and Westella VIP are approved by the FA to become NCEL clubs for the new season.
  • Liversedge promote under 19s boss Jonathan Rimmington to first team manager after Alan Colquhoun resigns.
  • Matlby Main replace manager Mick Norbury with former Stockport County vice-chairman Spencer Fearn and Mark Askwith.
  • Paul Marshall’s seven-year tenure as Tadcaster Albion manager ends on General Election day. He turns down a directorship to become the replacement for Tony Hackworth at Pickering Town.
  • Dave Mace resigns at Worsbrough Bridge and Mark Joyce takes over as their new manager along with Wayne Radford, who is named chairman.
  • Harrogate Railway chief Billy Miller takes over at Tadcaster Albion after a two-week search. Former Leeds United defender Matt Heath is his first signing – followed by Jordan Armstrong and Adam Baker.
  • Lee Ashforth is installed as Harrogate’s new manager straightaway. Ashforth’s first act is to ensure Dan Thirkell remains with at Station View.
  • Paul Lines and Simon Turfrey quit as manager and chairman of Nostell Miners Welfare, but return within a few days.
  • Martin Drury replaces John Deacey as manager of Bradford (Park Avenue).
  • Pete Goodlad becomes general manager at Athersley Rec to allow Jason Dodsworth and Sean Marginson to take sole control of the team.
  • There’s change around at Glasshoughton Welfare. Previous manager Jon Miles becomes their new chairman, while former Doncaster striker Mick Norbury takes the manager’s helm.
  • RIASA and Eccleshill United end their long partnership. Eccleshill appoint Mark Greaves as their first manager of the new era.
  • Hemsworth Miners Welfare boss Wayne Benn wins Non League Yorkshire’s manager of the year vote.
  • Farsley AFC are told by the Football Association that they can re-name themselves Farsley Celtic – five years after losing the ‘Celtic” part.
  • Shaw Lane win the race to sign Frickley striker Gavin Allott. Craig Elliott also signs Gibraltar and Farsley Celtic striker Adam Priestley and Rhys Meynell.
Star striker Joe Thornton runs to Lee Morris' father after Matt Thornhill put Shaw Lane Aquaforce 3-1 in front at Nostell Miners Welfare

Tadcaster bound striker Joe Thornton runs to Lee Morris’ father after Matt Thornhill put Shaw Lane Aquaforce 3-1 in front at Nostell Miners Welfare in February

Shane Kelsey signed for Hemsworth in June

Shane Kelsey signed for Hemsworth in June

June

  • Joe Thornton is one of a few new signings made by new Tadcaster Albion manager Billy Miller, who retains most of the previous season’s squad. Jimmy Beadle and George Conway are two of the other new faces.
  • After years of calls, play-offs are finally introduced to NCEL Division One at the league’s AGM in Scarborough.
  • Hemsworth Miners Welfare make a big name signing in Shane Kelsey to replace Farsley Celtic bound striker Nick Guest.

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