Town forced to bow out

By Jon Couch

Relegated Brighouse Town say the decision to drop further down the pyramid and return to amateur football was not one they took lightly.

Struggling Town finished rock bottom of Northern Premier League East division this season, ending their 12-year spell at Step 4.

But instead of preparing for a return to the Northern Counties East League, the West Yorkshire club have announced they have applied to step away from senior football altogether and join the West Yorkshire League at Step 7.

The club say that spiralling wage, travel, infra-structure and administrative costs, along with the loss of key experience at a senior level, have prompted a strategic re-appraisal and need for re-alignment at St Giles Road, As a result, a major overhaul in the boardroom has seen head of youth football, Mark Booth, appointed as chairman of the whole club, assisted by Julian Prior as secretary along with existing members of the club’s committee. The junior and women’s sections are unaffected by the move.

Brighouse last played at Step 7 in 2008 when they won promotion from the former West Riding County Amateur League.

After two seasons in Northern Counties East Division One, Town made the leap into Step 5, eventually winning the premier division title in 2013-14 with 101 points and scoring 138 goals.

Twelve seasons at Step 4 yielded mixed success with their best season coming in 2018-19 when they finished third in NPL East.

Their best run in the FA Cup come in 2013-14 when they progressed to the second qualifying round where they were edged out 1-0 at Stockport County.

A statement from the executive committee read: “This is decision hasn’t been taken lightly but affords the men’s senior team a reset and a chance to re-establish itself and grow once again.

“The club takes great pride in its rise from the former West Riding County Amateur League. We have often said we felt we were batting above our station, but we have had a great ride and some fantastic memories and friendships made.

“Although this is the end of one era, it is the start of a new one. We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to our supporters, volunteers, and partners for their continued backing.

“We hope you will remain with us on this journey as we build the next chapter of Brighouse Town AFC and continue to provide a football hub that the town can be proud of.”