Emley AFC reclaim their club’s history

AFC Emley have secured FA, County FA and league approval to change the club’s name to Emley AFC.

The original Emley AFC was formed in 1903 and played in the West Yorkshire village until the club’s ill-fated move to Wakefield, which also meant the original name of the club was eventually lost, until now.

AFC Emley was formed in 2005 to keep football in the village of Emley in the name of Emley.

With the demise of the Wakefield club five years ago, the club’s current committee felt that sufficient time had passed to reclaim the club’s heritage and it is time to put the name Emley AFC back on the footballing map.

They have been successful in Yorkshire non-league football over the years, winning several championships, but were perhaps most famous for their run to the third round of the FA Cup in 1998, which saw them playing at West Ham United.

Club chairman Nigel Wakefield said: “We’re immensely proud of the original club’s achievements.

“For many those are considered our achievements but, regardless of the history books, they are integral to the current club’s heritage.

“Our home ground and our reputation were forged by the many people that moved the club up the leagues from 1903 until the move out of the village. I can think of no more fitting way to honour all those that have gone before us than reinstating that famous name.”

The change will be made in time for the 2019-20 season.