Ossett Albion A.F.C. - History

History

The club was formed in 1944 as a junior club, eventually they became a senior club and played in the West Riding County Amateur League and the West Yorkshire League, winning numerous honours before joining the Yorkshire League in 1957.

Albion won promotion from Division 2 in 1959 and were runner up to League champions Farsley Celtic in 1960. Albion were runners up again in 1962 to champions Stocksbridge Works. Albion continued to get regular top 4 places for several years afterwards but in 1972 they were relegated to Division 2. Albion won promotion in 1974 and finally won the Yorkshire League title in 1975. However, Albion went down again in 1978, but bounced back as Division 2 champions in 1979. Albion suffered yet another relegation in 1980, but again won the Division 2 title in 1981.

In 1982, the Yorkshire League joined up with the Midland League to form the Northern Counties East Football League. Ossett Albion were placed in Division 1 East, league re-organisations moved them into Division 1 Central in 1984 and Division 1 in 1985. Albion were Division 1 champions in 1987 and were promoted to the Premier Division. They finished bottom the first two seasons, but avoided relegation and eventually they began to climb the table. Albion, with Gerry Quinn as manager, were League champions in 1999, but were denied promotion to the Northern Premier League Division One due to one of their changing rooms not being big enough. In 2001, with Eric Gilchrist in charge, Albion finished 2nd to Brigg Town but were promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One instead of Brigg.

Ossett Albion finished bottom of the division in 2002 and they were relegated back to the Northern Counties East League but in 2004 Albion were champions again and returned to the Northern Premier Division One. They finished 12th in 2005, 14th in 2006 and 11th in 2007.

Albion first entered the FA Cup in 1962–63, winning their first game 5–1 at Selby Town. They have reached the 4th Qualifying Round on two occasions, in 1965–66 they defeated Bridlington Town, Harrogate Town and Bridlington Trinity before losing 3–0 to South Liverpool away. In 2003–04, Albion beat Alnwick Town, Alsager Town, Osset Town, Pickering Town and Newcastle Town before losing 1–0 at home to Stalybridge Celtic.

In the FA Trophy, Albion have reached the 1st round twice, in 2002 and 2005.

In the FA Vase, Albion reached the 4th round in 1982, 1995 and 2000.

Albion first entered the FA Amateur Cup in 1952, beating Hull Old Grammarians 2–0. Their best performances, to get to the 1st round proper, were in 1962 (losing to Crook 1–0), 1968 (losing to North Shields 3–0) and 1973 (losing to Oldbury United 1–0). Albion's biggest win was 10–2 over Reckitts and Sons. Albion's last game in the Amateur Cup was a 3–1 defeat at North Ferriby United. The FA Amateur Cup was discontinued in 1974 and replaced by the FA Vase.

Albion have won the West Riding County Cup in 1965, 1966, 1968 and 1999, the West Yorkshire League Cup in 1976 and 1977 and the Northern Counties East League Cup in 1984, beating Ilkeston Town 2–1.

Albion's all time record appearances holder is Peter Eaton, who made over 800 appearances during the 1970s and 1980s. Albion's record goalscorer is John Balmer, who hit over 40 goals in consecutive seasons during Jimmy Martin's reign in the early 90's.

Albion players with Football League connections include Barry Holmes who went to Halifax Town, Gary Brook who joined Newport County in 1987, Steve Downes who joined Grimbsy Town, former Swansea City player Paul Raynor played for Albion at the end of his career, as did former Huddersfield Town defender Rob Edwards, ex-Cambridge United striker Micky Norbury and Fulham midfielder Robert Wilson. Dave Syers, who began his career with Ossett, turned professional two seasons later with Bradford City.