Harrogate Railway FC

The club was formed in 1935 when workers from Starbeck LNER loco shed formed an adult team to play in the Harrogate & District League. In 1946 the side consisted entirely of railway men and reached the British Railways National Cup Final.

This success prompted the club to go in search of a ground of their own but they stayed at Station View when the LNER said that they would lend the club the £1500 necessary to purchase the site providing 300 rail workers would agree to having 1d a week stopped from their wages to finance the repayments. More than sufficient volunteers signed up and they did not have long to wait for their faith to be repaid on the pitch. In 1949 both of the dubs sides won their respective league championships plus a full set of local cups. The first team winning all 24 league matches with a goal tally of 150 goals to 29 against.

The club joined the West Yorkshire League Division Two. They were promoted as champions after only one season and they won the League Cup in 1953.

The 1952/53 season will be remembered for giant killing acts in the F.A. Amateur Cup. The club played a total of six games, scoring 18 goals and conceding only six. They beat Guiseley, Ossett Albion, Liversedge, Penrith and Billingham Synthonia before going out in the 2nd Round by the odd goal in five to eventual finalists Harwich & Parkstone in Harwich. The clubs fans were conveyed to these games by special trains.

Season 1955/56 saw promotion to the Yorkshire League Division 2 and in 1958/59 came promotion as champions. 1959 saw a downturn in the clubs fortunes, as with the run down of the railways, the Starbeck Loco Shed closed. This resulted in many people leaving to work in other areas, depriving the club of finance and players.

The club struggled through the sixties and early seventies and by the 1972/3 season they had dropped to the third division. At the end of the season they returned to Harrogate and District League. A move which enabled them to stabilise financially and by the 1980/81 season they had returned to the Yorkshire League Division 3.

With the formation of the N.C.E.L. they were invited to join Division 2 (North). They won the championship in the 1983/84 season and won the League Cup and promotion to the Premier Division.

The Juniors started off in 1978 as Saltergate JFC and was formed initially on the Jennyfields Estate for the local boys, taking the name of the local primary school. The Club ran two teams in the Under 12s section of the Knaresborough Junior League. Unfortunately the Juniors nearly ceased to exist in its first season but John and Mary Lindsay, with the help of Cliff Andrews, opened the Club up to all boys (not just those from Jennyfields) and that enabled the Juniors to expand.

A local company, Octavius Atkinsons in Starbeck, gave permission for the Club to use a pitch on the basis that the Club would be responsible for maintenance. Junior football was taking off in a big way and the Harrogate & District Junior League was formed.

In 1983, John and Mary Lindsay approached Harrogate & District Railway Athletic Sports and Social Club for permission to play Under 16s matches at the ground and for some of the younger age groups to train there on Saturday mornings, and permission was granted.

When Octavius Atkinsons closed and the land was sold off to Morrisons, John and Mary approached Starbeck and Granby Schools for the use of the school pitches. The Club was able to provide football for Under 9s through to the Under 16s.

1990/91 proved to be a good year in the F.A. Cup when Railway had their most successful season in the competition, reaching the 4th Qualifying Round where they lost 3-1 at Chorley, a team who were the previous season playing in the Vauxhall Conference. The club also had a good run in the F.A. Vase going out in the third round at Billingham Town.

1991 saw the installation of £28,000 worth of floodlights as the club looked to the future ground grading requirements. They were officially opened with a game against a strong Sheffield United team, which included Vinnie Jones.

In 1992 the Harrogate & District Railway Athletic Sports and Social Club approached John and Mary Lindsay, and invited the Saltergate Junior Club to become their Junior section to be named Saltergate Railway. Then, in 1994, the Saltergate name was dropped in order that the 2 sections could be fully integrated. And so the juniors became a full part of Harrogate Railway.

The 1992/93 season was hampered by management changes and financial problems. The services of Graham Shepherd were obtained as replacement manager and with limited resources he introduced local players into the squad in an attempt to stabilize the club, but results did not go Rails way and they finished bottom of the Premier Division.

After several seasons of financial strife and consolidation with the team 8th in 1995/96 and 3rd in 1996/97 followed by a disappointing season in 1997/98, Dave Fell was appointed manager. He brought in many new faces and gave the fans what they had yearned for. After six seasons his team won the N.C.E.L. first division by a convincing nine point margin in 1998/99. Fell departed soon after his success followed by most of the team. The club moved swiftly and brought in ex-Harrogate Town manager Paul Marshall. A replacement with the enviable task of finding a squad of sufficient experience to retain the hard won Premier Division place. While this was going on further ground improvements were taking place. Concrete surrounds and additional seating (now 300) were added as the ground was brought up to Premier division standards.

The first season back in the Premier division proved to be a very traumatic experience as Paul Marshall struggled to find players that were up to Premier standard. There was a long period with Rail anchored firmly at the bottom of the table, which prompted Paul to tender his resignation. This was refused a show of faith that was to pay dividends in years to come. Railway defied the odds and went on a good run with a settled side, which helped the team finish five places off the bottom.

Railways second season back in the NCE Premier League saw further improvement. Paul with a limited budget made several new signings helping the team finish in a creditable 13th position.

A top five finish in the league and for the second time in the clubs history a 4th qualifying round spot in the F.A. Cup. The team had victories over Bridlington Town 2-0, a lack luster home draw with Winsford United before winning 4-1 in the replay, next came a difficult away tie to Unibond BIyth Spartans and a 2-1 victory. The 4th qualifying round provided a home tie against the highflying Conference side Morecambe. In front of a gate of nearly 1000 people the team were unfortunate to go down 3 - 2, an injury time goal in the 4th minute of added time.

2002 saw Harrogate Railway�s Junior section achieve the accreditation of Football Association Charter Standard Development Club. The club were also awarded the Football Association Community Club Award. Harrogate Railway, are proud to be able to support boys and mixed teams for Under 6s right through to Under 17s. Girls squads for age groups Under 10s, Under 12s and Under 15s.

Success at a price was the story of this season. After the success in last seasons FA Cup campaign there was an air of expectation from the growing support for the Station View Club. August 2002, Paul Marshall was given probably the toughest draw possible in the pre-qualifying round an away trip to FA Vase winners Whitley Bay. Rail managed a creditable draw and was pleased to entertain Whitley Bay back at Station View. A tough fought game saw Rail move on with a 4-3 thriller. A win at Esh Wining followed by a visit to another northeast side Chester-le-street for an epic contest. 5 � 5 away and 2 �2 after 90 minutes at home saw extra time being played. Rail went on a goal fest scoring 5 (yes five) to win 7-2. In the 3rd & 4th qualifier saw a step up in competition with Rail seeing off Unibond teams Workington & Marine lining up Slough Town in a history making 1st Rnd proper confrontation. Railway mobilised 400 plus supporters travelling south to Wheatley Park the home of Slough Town. A monster, monster day with Rail defying the odds once more beating the Rebels 2-1. This success catapulted Railway into the media spotlight being the lowest ranked club to reach the FA Cup 2nd Round. The prize, the highest ranked club in the competition at that stage in the form of highflying Bristol City at home. Railway dumbfounded everyone by committing to playing such a game at Station View. The game captured the imagination of the nation and Sky TV was soon in on the act to broadcast Harrogate Railway across the world. It took a monumental effort to get the ground to a standard where everyone was happy for the game to go ahead. Huge stands were erected and a capacity of 3500 was declared and sold out in days. Railway made a good account of themselves on the day, which will stay in the memory for many years to come. They were a credit to Harrogate Railway, The NCEL and footballing underdogs everywhere. Rail lost 3-1 with a typical Steve (Ugga) Davey cheeky goal but there were no complaints, what a day. The game seemed to have a knock on effect as Rail crashed out of the FA Vase the following week and then the league cup there was one bright spot as Paul Marshall brought silverware to Station View in the shape of the Presidents Cup. Beating the league champions Bridlington Town 7-2 on aggregate.

Sadly the memory was marred by arguments over bonus payments, which ended in the full first team except captain Danny Ames walking out for a one match protest. Rails growing strength in depth came to the rescue as Peter Binks and his reserve side stepped in to play the NCEL match against Eccleshill Utd, a game they won 3-2. The season fizzled away after that Rail had 3 games a week to play and the pressure showed as Rail managed 10th in the league. The walk out and arguments over bonuses divided the club and come the end of the season Paul Marshall was asked to reapply for his position, for which he failed to succeed.

Ex-Garforth Town Manager Dave Harrison and John Francis were given the job at Station View both having professional qualifications and working at the Leeds United Football Academy. Come the pre-season the size of their task became very apparent as the whole first team squad of 02-03 failed to return. They started brightly with over 80 players coming to pre-season training and there was plenty of optimism around Station View. Sadly results didn�t go for Railway in the early part of the season winning only once in the first 11 games and bombing out of two cups. After a crushing 2-4 home defeat to Glasshoughton Welfare Dave and John resigned. Harrogate Railway were quick to act and appointed Ex-Farsley Celtic Manager Martin Haresign as their replacement. Martin made wholesale changes in an attempt to steady the ship. It was apparent from the start of Haresigns reign that he had the ability to attract the quality to cut it in this league. Results slowly started to change for the Railway men and the season finished with a flourish to end in 11th place.

A poor start to the season saw Railway at the foot of the table with the lowest point being a 5 -0 drumming at home to Pickering Town mid September. High flying Shirebrook Town away was our next game and little was expected. But the Pickering result must have been the kick up the jacksey that was needed to start the Railwaymen’s season. Haresign's men went on a 13 match unbeaten run to top the table at Christmas with some monster wins on the way. A slump in the in New Year let others in as the Promotion Finishing Post was getting closer Rail were a possible 1 of 5 vying for the ticket to the Unibond. With 3 games to go we needed to win all 3 and we were Champions. Sadly we lost away to Long Eaton and Goole stepped to the plate to take the one and only promotion spot with Railway finishing a respectable 3rd. In the Cups Rail fell in the Preliminary Round to Esh Winning in the FA Cup after a 1-1 draw at Station View Rail suffered a humbling 7-3 away defeat in the replay. In the Vase Railway were dumped 3 – 1aet away to Silsden. But in the League Cup The Rail faired better taking Sheffield FC to a nail biting finish losing 2-1 in the Final held at Ossett Albions Dimple Wells Ground.

The under 19’s Academy went from strength to strength with a double cup success winning the League Cup and the Whitworth Cup while finishing a creditable 2nd in the Northern Under 19 Alliance.

Off the field things were on the move with ground improvements to achieve Unibond Status. A concrete base was installed around the full perimeter of the pitch, new dugouts, emergency lighting, upgrade the changing rooms, better public toilets, a new Committee room, extra turnstiles were all required to step up to the Unibond League. Station View passed the ground grading and was declared ready for when the team did the business on the pitch.

2005-2006 This was the season giving the best chance to realise the dream. It was muted that a possible top 3 finish would mean promotion because of restructuring in the Leagues above.

Another poor start did little to inspire any thoughts of the Unibond. A number of teams were pushing for promotion and competition was strong, this was going to be another tough season in the NCEL. A number of good wins would be cancelled out by loses with only Buxton FC making any head way. The rest were very evenly matched and we knew this would go to the wire. With 5 games to play Rail were far from favourites for promotion. Buxton had walked the League and Liversedge were secure in second. There were 5 clubs scrambling for that coveted third place. Rail went on a monster run and won all 5 remaining games with a double against promotion chasing Sheffield. A nervy 1-0 win at home but a master class performance away winning 5-1 probably our best game of the season. Third spot was ours and promotion was ours but no. The FA was still to confirm the numbers for the Step 4 Leagues and Rail were left in limbo waiting to hear their fate. May 11th The FA announced the Structure for the 2006-2007 season and Rail were confirmed as Promoted from The NCEL Premier Division to the NPL UNIBOND DIVISION 1. History had been made, Harrogate Railway would be playing football at the highest level ever in their 71 year History. A massive achievement and credit must be given to Martin Haresign, Vince Brockie and the full squad of players and staff at Harrogate Railway Athletic F.C. A special mention should go to Graham Marchant who was joint top scorer in the League with a massive 33 goals to his credit.

The Under 19 Academy not to be out done were Crowned Champions of their League and were beaten finalists in a thrilling game in this Years Whitworth Cup.