Ossett Town 0-2 Garforth Town
Northern Premier League Division One North
1.10.11
Admission: Adults: £7 Children: £1
Programme: £2 (32pp)
Attendance: 87
Capacity: 2,000
Seated: 270
Covered: 620
Town: Ossett, West Yorkshire
Floodlights: Yes
Shop: No
Step: 8
A trip to York on the 1st of October meant I could continue on by train to Dewsbury and catch a bus to the town of Ossett in West Yorkshire. There is nothing significant to note about the town, it is merely another section of the metropolitan borough of Leeds. It has a population of 21,000. Buses run every 15 minutes from Dewsbury Bus Station to Ossett Bus Station which is opposite the football ground.
Ossett Town joined the Yorkshire League in 1945. In 1959 they were relegated to Division Two but instantly regained their place in Division One on the first attempt. In 1962 they were relegated back to Division Two before being relegated to the new Division Three in 1970. In 1973 they were promoted back to Division Two But were back in Division Three two years later. They were promoted again the next season Before finally regaining Division one status two years later. Two years later they were back in Division Two before once again playing Division One football two years later. In 1982 Ossett Town were founder members of the Northern Counties East League before joining Division One Central ina re-organisation in 1984. They were then placed in Division Two a season later. The side won Northern Counties East League Division Two in 1989 and were promoted to Division One. They then gained a second successive promotion to Northern Counties East League Premier Division. They finished as runners up in 1999 and joined Northern Premier League Division One. They finished as runners up in 2002 and were promoted in 2004. However last season Town were relegated from the Premier Division and are now back in Division One North. In 2006 Ossett Town made it to the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. They knocked out Stocksbridge Park Steels, Consett and Matlock Town before losing 3-2 at home to Leamington. In 2000 the side made it to the 2nd Round of the FA Trophy. They knocked out Atherstone United before losing1-0 at home to Doncaster Rovers. In 1989 Town reached the 5th Round of the FA Vase. They knocked out Bradley Rangers, Hallam, Immingham town, West Allotment Celtic, Bridlington Town and Whickham before losing 2-1 at home to North Ferriby United.
This was a pretty dull game. After 32 minutes Hunter gave Garforth Town the lead. Cook put a header wide for Ossett with not long to play and Walker made it 2-0 to Garforth and ruined any hope Ossett had of snatching a point. Before the game Ossett were 3 points off a play off spot, but after this defeat against a side in the bottom half, Ossett must surely wonder whether they are ready for Premier Division football again.
It is becoming rarer and rarer to find football grounds in town centres. Ossett is one place where this rarity can be found, although the club have recently announced a deal for TESCO to build a store on the site of the ground. You enter on the Prospect Road end of the ground in the southeast corner. To your left is the only seating in the ground, a 270 seat structure consisting of red tip up seats with a walkway at the back. You the have to descend a flight of steps to reach the west side of this ground. At the end is a small two step covered standing area that holds about 100. The far end consists of just hard standing while the east side features a small 1 step covered stand holding another 100. The changing rooms are behind this. You then reach an open 3 step terrace which continues to the enterance corner. Set behind this terrace is the clubhouseb and tea bar.
The programme features match details on a sticker on the cover. The league, club, price and photos are on the cover. It is clear that the club uses the same ads every fortnight and just adds an insert for each separate game. The programme features 32 pages, 19 of which are ads in full colour and on glosst paper. The match content is in black and white. This includes lineups, table, brief welcome, fixtures, league news, a history of Garforth Town, Ossett Town fixture/results chart, Garforth Town pen pictures, matchday sponsorship and a league review. A poor effort for £2 and Northern Premier League level.
A visit to Ossett Town is recommended for the ground, but perhaps not for the atmosphere or the programme.
Ossett Town matchday pictures:
