Club History

Ossett Albion were formed by a group of school friends as a junior club in 1944 and the first ever fixture was played on September 16th 1944. The original players stayed together as the club moved into open age football and they quickly established a reputation as one of the best sides in the local area. Their early days were spent in the Spen Valley and Heavy Woollen District Leagues.

It wasn't long before Albion progressed to the West Riding County Amateur League and subsequently the West Yorkshire League where they spent a very successful seven years. Throughout this period of the club's history they were never far away from honours especially in cup football - a tradition which has, by and large, been maintained ever since.

Several grounds were used prior to the move to their current home at Queens Terrace in the mid-fifties. The first game on the new ground was against Yorkshire Amateurs in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Amateur Cup on November 26th 1955. One year later they successfully applied for membership of the Yorkshire League where their first opponents in Division 2 were Leeds United "A".

Promotion to Division 1 of the Yorkshire League was achieved in 1959 and Albion remained in the top flight for 13 seasons. In the mid-sixties Albion won the West Riding County Cup three times in four years and a decade later, under the management of Ray Green, they won the Yorkshire League Division 1 championship and the Yorkshire League Cup twice in successive seasons.

In 1982 Albion, along with most of the Yorkshire League clubs at the time, became founder members of the Northern Counties East League but ground deficiencies prevented them from taking their place in the Premier Division. Success continued, however, when they lifted the Northern Counties East League Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory over Ilkeston Town.

Five seasons were spent in Division 1 of the NCEL during which time ground development at Queens Terrace was given the highest priority. Carefully planned and costed improvements elevated the ground's grading from a lowly 'E' to the coveted grade 'A'. Albion's long-held ambitions of Premier Division status were finally realised in 1987 when they won the NCEL Division 1 championship under the guidance of former player John Ogilvie.

Coming to terms with life in the Premier Division was not an easy transition for the club to make but the appointment of Jimmy Martin in 1992 signalled the dawn of a new era following an influx of players from Martin's previous club Bradley Rangers. During Martin's period in charge Albion reached numerous finals and semi-finals as well as reaching the last 16 stage of the FA Vase but further silverware eluded them.

When Jimmy Martin relinquished his position after nearly six years at the helm Albion were fortunate to secure the services of the highly respected Gerry Quinn who had previously guided Emley to the NCEL Premier Division title and subsequently the Premier Division of the Unibond League as well as a place in the FA Vase Final at Wembley. His last managerial position prior to his move to Ossett was with Altrincham in the Football Conference.

That wealth of experience quickly paid dividends when last season - his first in charge - Albion romped to a league and cup 'double' by lifting the West Riding County Cup in the final against Bradford Park Avenue and the NCEL Premier Division championship courtesy of a last day of the season win at North Ferriby United. Hopes of elavation to the Unibond League were subsequently dashed when once again fate intervened and ground grading proved one hurdle too many. Inadequate dressing rooms cost the Club promotion and they were condemned to a further spell in the Northern Counties East League.

In similar circumstances in the past such a set-back has been known to deflate and devastate clubs but Albion refused to accept defeat and they re-grouped for another assault on promotion. In fact it took a relatively short time and then under the guidance of current manager Eric Gilchrist they finished runners-up to Brigg Town last season. When the Lincolnshire club were denied promotion in similar circumstances to Albion two years earlier Ossett benefited accordingly by stepping up to the Unibond League in a manner they still regard as "poetic justice".

Promotion was the culmination of 20 years work and the realisation of an ultimate ambition. Albion's rise to the upper echelons of Non-League football has been something resembling a roller-coaster ride with Club Officials especially experiencing every concievable emotion along the way. Highs have been followed almost inevitably by lows all along the route but they have remained resilient throughout and that makes the achievement all the more satisfying. The Club are now hoping to consolidate at their present level before lokking forward to whatever challenges the future may hold in store.

Ossett Albion are run by a 14-strong Committee many of whom have been with the Club for 20 years or more and were actively involved in the decision, taken at the time of the Yorkshire League/Midland League amalgamation, to take on the challenge of bringing the facilities up to a standard acceptable to the Unibond League and making membership of the Unibond League their "goal".

The record attendance at Queens Terrace was in November 1986 when Leeds United provided the opposition for the official opening of the floodlights and over 1200 people witnessed the occasion. The record league 'gate' was in 1989 when 760 spectators were in the ground for the visit of Emley. There were recent attendances in excess of 600 for the visits of Diss Town and Accrington Stanley in F.A. competitions.

During their history Albion have had many long-serving players but none moreso than ex-captain Peter Eaton who chalked up 800-plus appearances in a career spanning over 23 years and Nigel Yarrow who, having made his first team debut at the tender age of 16, went on to play over 600 games as Albion's first choice goalkeeper.

Ossett Albion have a well known Club President in Coronation Street actress Helen Worth who plays Gail Platt in the popular TV programme. Helen frequently attends games and her publicity releases list travel, cooking and Ossett Albion Football Club amongst her interests outside work.