Progress and Promotion? – A 2024/25 Review

A second season at Step 6 awaited the Wellers having narrowly missed out on the play-offs in the previous season, however some fresh faces and yet more development off the pitch, gave new inspiration to the Club in the summer.
 
The first major change was the renovation of the clubhouse and the old changing rooms which started in the summer and were completed in October to give supporters a warm, clean and modern space to gather before and after matches.
 
Despite five debutants in the starting XI it was two familiar faces who scored to give Wombwell Town the perfect start at Brigg Town on the opening day. Eddie Agnew and Gavin Allott netted in each half to gain three points with a 2-0 scoreline. Debut keeper Charlie Preston kept his clean sheet intact with a late penalty save against a fellow promotion hopeful.
 
With the league campaign going well eyes turned at various points for the club’s first venture into the FA Vase, where a 4-0 against Nostell MW set them up for a visit from North West Counties outfit Ashton Athletic. A delay to kick off due to the visitors coach breaking down didn’t stop the Wellers from beating them 3-0 to reach the First Round ‘proper’. Handsworth of the NCEL Premier Division were the visitors and an 84th minutes penalty by Nick Guest secured a 3-2 Wellers’ victory. Owen Sykes and Jordan Kershaw with the other goals.
 
A trip to Liverpool to face Ashville in the FA Vase Second Round was a highlight of the season as goals by Kershaw and Jack Dando gave the Wellers a 2-1 win and an enjoyable trip home on the coach with players, officials and supporters all celebrating the achievement. The competition run ended in the Third Round though as extremely high winds and an almost unplayable pitch saw Hallam FC continue in the competition following a disappointing 4-0 win at the Recreation Ground.
 
With Christmas approaching all the attention turned to the league form and a 9-1 win at struggling Dronfield gave the team their biggest win in the NCEL to date. Kershaw bagged three while Dando, Sykes, Danny Patterson, Jason Paling, Charlie Rogerson and Danny Youel each netted once.
 
The New Year promised to be an exciting conclusion to the season, however the Wellers found themselves some 14 points off the leaders Horbury Town, but with four games in hand! The run to the end of the season saw just one defeat. It also ended up being the only defeat away from home during the league campaign, and it came at fellow title hopefuls Wakefield.
 
However, there were plenty of games remaining and the pressure was on Horbury not to slip up in their final matches. While Wakefield did drop points and fell out of the running before the final Saturday of the season, the table meant that Horbury had to win at Maltby Main to clinch the title, while the Wellers had to win and hope. Unfortunately, the rivals romped into an early three goal lead and the 4-1 win against Athersley Recreation for Wombwell Town could only match the other final score.
 
While Horbury celebrated a league title, the Wellers prepared for a new first – The Play-offs!
 
Finishing in second had its advantages as it gave Wombwell Town a home tie against 5th finishing Ilkley Town. It was a nervous beginning in front of the record 603 crowd as the visitors took the lead inside the first 15 minutes, but this is Wombwell Town. Eddie Agnew equalised and with 15 minutes to go Jordan Kershaw was there to score what became the winning goal.
 
In the other semi-final Wakefield slipped up on home soil and Dearne & District came for the final on the 26th May. The record crowd from a week ago was smashed with 1498 the official attendance and Kershaw was there once again to score in a massive game for the Club. His 11th minute goal sent the crowd delirious and a second by Ollie Fearon 13 minutes later doubled the lead. Dearne weren’t going to lie down though and Bayley Lowe pulled one back before half time.
 
The second half saw Fearon head in his second of the afternoon and despite a Jamie Austin goal nine minutes from time, it was the Wellers who secured promotion with a 3-2 scoreline.
 
It was a fourth promotion in just five completed seasons for the club, with Eddie Agnew involved in them all and now sitting at the top of the club’s all-time goal scoring list. Gareth McDermott set another record on the 21st March as he became the first player to appear in 150 matches for the club – finishing the season on 154.
 
Progress and promotion was the story yet again for Wombwell Town FC, who will now face another new challenge as a Step Five club in the NCEL Premier Division, and possibly an FA Cup campaign as well!

Jordan Kershaw was top scorer with 29 goals in all competitions.

Eddie Agnew is congratulated by Danny Youel.

The team celebrates at the end of the season.

How the team started

How the team finished

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