Garforth Town – Season Review
There’s never a dull moment at Garforth Town AFC, the self proclaimed ‘world’s most famous amateur club’. Everyone associated with the club are very pleased with their team’s performances and the progress that has been shown throughout 2007/08, a season that will historically be remembered as Town’s inaugural seventh tier experience in English football, having never competed as high as the UniBond League before. At the end of last season Town put together a run of 19 games with just 2 defeats to earn promotion onto the next stage, the newly reformed UniBond League First Division North, and have successfully defied the odds with a mid table finish, having lurked near the play off places as an unlikely promotion contender.
Garforth had never reached this level in their history, a remarkable achievement for Simon Clifford, who took over management of a struggling, debt ridden 10th tier outfit. The team, largely that of the Northern Counties East League winners of 2006/07, has coped fantastically well with the step up, undertaking their task with gusto. Garforth ended the season positioned in 10th place without ever apparently reaching the full potential their young, talented players suggest they possess, and haven’t faced any truly dominant, formidable opposition.
The season proved an invaluable experience for the younger members of the team, notably teenagers Duncan Williams, Mark Piper, Seb Muddel, Adam Clarke and Mark Harding. Piper, a graduate of the Brazilian Soccer School Clifford set up in Southampton which his parents run, opined; “Even with (depleted) numbers, we were only really troubled by the title chasers – Skelmersdale and Bradford Park Avenue. We beat FC United of Manchester (who stole into second place ahead of Skelmers at the last), and Curzon (who were top from about January to April before losing to FC and Skelmers and finishing an unlucky 4th). Outside of that four we outplayed everyone else, and lost silly games with set piece goals or daft mistakes. This league is ours next year.”
Despite inconsistent form Garforth maintained a place around the play-off positions throughout the season, having slipped from comfort in third after a disastrous January. Such an achievement will require a similar run of form to last year but having dropped a number of unnecessary points due to errors and inexperience, the management, team and supporters will be working hard to amend this occurrence and ensure that the prospect of promotion is rather more than a possibility next year, a season which will herald the return of messianic Simon Clifford, as the Miner’s look to march onwards and upwards into the realms of the unfulfilled prophecies of their owner.
Note: the following is merely the opinion of the writer.
Performance of the season
A toss-up between the 4-0 annihilation of Newcastle Blue Star, and the sweet victory over FC United of Manchester. In terms of complete dominance, the Geordie bashing was an epitome of total control, whereas in terms of a hard fought victory as underdogs against a big gun, nothing from 07/08 in the entire UniBond can top the 1-0 deficit Garforth inflicted on FC in front of their home fans courtesy of a Jason St Juste goal. The late goal salvo of Luis de Melo, the five minute hat-trick, makes the Rossendale victory noteworthy here too.
Top three –
1-0 – FC United of Manchester
4-0 – Newcastle Blue Star
5-2 – Rossendale FC
Performer of the Season
Garforth Town fielded some determined players this season, but the stand-out for this writer at least was 19 year old Duncan Williams. Nothing can be said that hasn’t already been uttered, and Duncan will grow into a mature, class act on and off the field. Worthy mentions are 17 goal top scorer and left winger by trade Greg Kelly, defender Milton Turner, the hard working Mark Piper and stalwart captain Brett Renshaw.
Goal of the Season
While not in the most enjoyable of games, Chris Brown’s sizzler from distance against BPA stands out as Garforth’s best goal from 2007/08. An individual effort, all the more pleasing coming from a defender by trade who toils in a striking role he is unaccustomed to, Brown received the ball thirty yards from goal on the right channel, and struck fiercely back across goal, the ball flying over the stranded goalkeeper and dipping into the top left corner, to the delight of the Garforth support.
Ones to forget
A toss-up between Woodley Sports, BPA or Skelmersdale at home. I won’t linger.
Showboat of the Season
The Rivelino elastico from Dunga Williams away at Mossley in April. Take your bow.
Individual Performance of the Season
Milton Turner in the Horsfall Stadium Swamp. 0-3 would have been 3-0 had eleven players turned in that display.
D.Fletcher
