Hepworth United: the story so far 1905 - 2011
10 Aug 2011

Created in 1905 as a football club and has been the heart of the village ever since. The club has a strong senior / Junior and ladies set up with all teams playing at high levels.

The men’s senior teams ply their trade in the first division of the Huddersfield district league and have infact just won the league for the first time in the clubs history. The second team operate in the Works combination league and are also in the top section.

The junior setup and coaching is second to none and has been for a number of years with the juniors constantly battling for trophies and producing top footballers (Jonathan Stead comes to mind).

The club is a committee run operation and is headed up by president Mick Walker and Chairman Phil Birkhead.  Early in pre season it was decided that a re shuffle was needed and it was put in place that Michael Tunnacliffe would return to his junior roots and coach the first team. This has proved a fantastic decision as Michael has changed the training routine and the whole impotece of the club. His drive for success has meant that the league title will belong to Hepworth for this season.

The changes have proved to be a success, new faces and new management have meant the competition for places has increased and the quality of football played has been at a high level. More and more people are making the small trip from Holmfirth up to Far lane to witness what has been a historical season.

The first eleven started well and have competed in 3 cups and a league meaning a gruelling fixture schedule where for the last 4 weeks of the season the lads have played 3 times a week! However after a mid season slump where the team was knocked out of all 3 cups within a month, the guys picked themselves up and have produced the goods to see them lift the league trophy.

The season came to a boiling point with good wins over Newsome and Diggle setting up a fixture with Newsome again to decide who would step closer to the championship. Hepworth needed a point from the game whilst Newsome needed 3.

The game itself was a real cracker with the match ebbing and flowing, however with 3 minutes to go Hepworth found themselves 2-1 down. However, a clumsy foul on the Hepworth Centre forward meant Hepworth had a penalty kick. Up stepped James Earnshaw to fire the ball home, cue scenes of joy from the 50 or so Hepworth fans on the side line.

The Season has one game to go at the time of writing this, with Hepworth Playing Uppermill on Thursday the 19^th of May.

A massive Congratulations to the players, management and supporters.

The second eleven have had a tough season , however through commitment and good football, they have managed to finish mid table in the Works league division 1 and will look to build on this next year with a new management team leading the guys forward.

The football club is also expanding and will produce a third team for the first time, with The Club moving in the right direction it has become apparent that Hepworth will want to encourage new players to come and compete for places in all 3 teams, we ask that should anyone be interested in wanting to come and train / play for Hepworth, if they could contact the club directly by going up on an evening and leaving your details.

As for the Junior section, this is something that we are very proud of and it is safe to say that we have one of the best Kids programmes in the Holme Valley. From coaching to fun days, everything is organised to the highest level and the quality of the players coming through the ranks is very good. Again should you wish for your child to play for the club, please pop up on an evening and leave your details with one of the staff.

As part of the change of the running of the club, Hepworth united have invested in Sky television to televise all major events being sporting or not. The club will be showing Football / rugby / cricket / golf and the top Box office Boxing matches (David Haye for example). The club is actively encouraging new faces through the door and look forward to seeing you soon.

With Hepworth feast getting closer, the club will be asking for as much support from the community in getting people through the door for a warm welcome and a nice drink.

The club is also looking to get a quiz night back on a Tuesday or Wednesday night and is asking should anyone want to head this up and start a few teams, then please contact the club as there has been recent interest shown.

A final message from the Chairman of the football club Mr Phil Birkhead "This year has been a historical one for the football club and we are looking to build on this success and grow the club. The management / supporters and players have made the club a great place to be throughout the season and we hoping that some new faces will come join us and help us make our plans to grow the club a reality. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us through the wind/rain and shine, your contributions make Hepworth Football club the special place that it is".