FC Farsley remain in pursuit of semi-professional football comeback despite blow for Leeds club
The latest on Leeds-based phoenix club FC Farsley after they were denied a place in the National League System
Leeds-based phoenix club FC Farsley have been denied a place in the National League System for the 2026/27 season - but remain committed to becoming semi-professional.
Former Premier League goalkeeper David Stockdale has overseen the launch of the phoenix club, which has taken the place of the liquidated Farsley Celtic.
The former club were relegated from the National League North last year before being given a two-division demotion, with the events sending them from step two of the non-league pyramid to step five. They then withdrew from the pyramid entirely and did not field a men’s first team for the 2025/26 campaign.
National League System setback for FC Farsley
Farsley Celtic withdrew as a step five club and as per National League System regulations, the phoenix club must join the pyramid at least two tiers lower. This places FC Farsley in amateur football, with the seventh rung of the non-league ladder the highest they can go.
An application for step six football was made regardless, in the hope a league restructure would open up a slot, but proved unsuccessful. The Yorkshire Post understands FC Farsley have not given up hope of joining the National League System and will seek to do so next year.
Co-owner Stockdale said: “There is always ambition within the club, and naturally we would like to be further along in the pyramid. We genuinely feel we have done everything we possibly could within the application process, so there is disappointment that it hasn’t resulted in step six.
“That said, we respect the decision and our focus now is on ensuring we are correctly placed at step seven and continuing to build the club in the right way for the long term.”
Fellow owner and director, his wife Katie, added: “This has been a really thorough process for everyone involved, and we feel proud of the effort that has gone into our application. Of course, it is disappointing when you feel you have done everything you can and it is still not enough at this stage.
“However, we remain positive about the future and fully committed to continuing to grow FC Farsley in the right way. There is a strong belief in what we are building, and that will not change.”
FC Farsley’s future
The club are now looking to line up an amateur league in which they can compete for the duration of the 2026/27 season.
Work is also being done to prepare for the laying of an artificial surface at the club’s Throstle Nest Ground, two years on from the removal of the grass pitch. Before their liquidation, Farsley Celtic played their home games in Derbyshire as part of a controversial groundshare agreement.
Progress is understood to have been made, although Stockdale has been open about his reluctance to disclose a target completion date.
In an interview with The Yorshire Post last year, he said: “There's not a timescale. There might be in my head, but there's not a timescale going back to me saying I don't want broken promises. There's a lot behind it rather than just 'let's start the pitch'. We've done a lot of the checks now and Leeds City Council are behind us with it.”