Match Information
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Shelley 3-2 Steeton
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When: Saturday 2nd September 2023
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: The Stafflex Arena, Storthes Hall Park, Storthes Hall Lane, Shelley, Kirkburton, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD8 0WA
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Competition: North West Counties League First Division North
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Attendance: 77
Shelley are enjoying a welcome return to Step 6 of the National League System this season. They are newcomers at North West Counties League First Division North level having gained promotion out of the West Yorkshire Association Football League Premier Division
Often known as Shelley Community FC, the team previously participated in NWCL action for two years embracing 2018 onwards. I was actively planning a groundhop visit during that period. But then suddenly, Shelley unexpectedly resigned from the league in September 2020.
A solemn statement outlined their reasoning: “As a result of the very challenging and uncertain economic climate caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, the club is to revert to all-amateur status. Most of the major income streams have dried up, making it impossible to cover the projected operating deficit going forward.”
Anyway it is great to see Shelley’s current renaissance following a spell regrouping in the county league. And I consequently decided to set off on my belated 350 mile round trip. Shelley itself is a village housing 3,000 residents based six miles south-east of Huddersfield.
I’ve noted with interest how the NWCL’s catchment footprint has extended over the years. The competition was originally launched in 1982 merging the Cheshire County League and the Lancashire Combination, therefore focusing almost entirely on the North West.
Yet more recently, it has expanded across other regions such as West Yorkshire thus incorporating teams like Shelley and today’s opponents Steeton.
Ground Description
My phone navigation system directed me off a side road towards an automatic barrier gate which quickly lifted.
From there, I drove through leafy lanes circumventing the beautiful grounds of 44 acre Storthes Hall Park estate whilst passing ‘The Venue’ pub/restaurant and a well-attended hockey match taking place on 3G synthetic turf.
Helpful signposts eventually led me to parking up at The Stafflex Arena. I really liked this football ground. On entering, I was atop a steep hill looking down on the playing surface.
Banking in front of me contained around 900 bench seats with some under cover towards the rear supplemented by additional sheltered standing areas. The rest of the ground is uncovered.
Clubhouse and dressing room facilities are at the summit of the bank whereby players descend to pitchside via a sectioned off stairway. Huddersfield Town Women FC play here too.
Programme details: On sale at the main entrance priced £2. Twelve professionally produced pages including the histories of both teams, details of Shelley’s upcoming cup ties, stats and matchday line-ups.
The Match
It was 17th versus sixth at kick-off time on a warm, sunny afternoon. Nicknamed the ‘Chevrons’ and roared on by 30 passionate travelling fans (the ‘Chevvies Army’), Steeton twice took the lead through Josh Walne (11 minutes) and Mo Farhan Subhani (58 mins).
I was captivated to hear the visiting supporters’ spirited song about “Taking Steeton to the Premier League”.
However, Shelly twice equalised practically straight away prior to dramatically grabbing the winning goal. Their scorers were Dan Lockwood (15 mins), Ethan Nixon (60 mins) and James Bootland (65 mins).
The People
Ash Berry managed Shelley for 15 years before stepping up to become director of football.
He told me: “When we resigned North West Counties League membership at the start of Covid, I lost 48 players immediately which was the whole of our first and reserve team squads.
“We joined the West Yorkshire League First Division where we took our second team’s place. I had no budget whatsoever so I had to find a whole new squad.
“We were struggling for any quality. Nevertheless myself and my three volunteers - Stuart Crank, Rob Hardy and John Walsh - opened an independent bank account. We named it ‘1903 Club’ which reflected the year Shelley FC were formed. And we began raising money through the three of us putting a sum in plus gifts from old players, friends and sponsors.
“We just stuck at it managing to encourage a number of our old players back and kept building on that. We clinched promoted up to West Yorkshire League Premier Division ahead of earning promotion into the NWCL once again.
“It has been incredibly difficult overall. But I was lucky enough to have extremely supportive people behind the scenes. I also possess good coaching staff working voluntarily in Howard Cartledge (my assistant), Steve Turner and Andy Farnell. The club now need to get firmly established at Step 6.”
*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
