Parrswood Celtic AFC - Our History
20 Feb 2008

The club was formed in 1963 by Doug Runacus & Jim Dunston following a conversation in the Parrswood Hotel. Initially with one team, the club joined the South Manchester & Wythenshawe League and played at Fog Lane Park in Didsbury. A 2nd Team was established several seasons later.

In the 1970's the club moved to play its homes games at Hough End and the 1st team finished runners up in a league cup final during that period. Brian Hadley was club Secretary from the late 1960's to late 1970's and overall spent 15 years as both a player & secretary. Brian later became Club Chairman and also had another stint as club secretary from 1994 to 1999.

Dave Harrison joined the club in the late 1960's as a player and became club secretary from the late 1970's until 1994, during which time a 3rd team was established. Tommy Coyle also joined the club around the same time as Dave and later became the 1st team coach and club trainer during the 1980's and early 1990's.

Both Dave & Tommy devoted enormous amounts of time and enthusiasm to the club and it enjoyed its most successful period during their time. Sadly, both are no longer with us, but a fitting memorial to both is that the club was able to keep going and maintains its reputation as a well run and well respected local amateur team.

In 1987 the club joined the Lancashire & Cheshire Amateur League. Home games for the 1st & 2nd team were then based at Ducie High School on the Moss Side/Rusholme border. The close proximity to Maine Road meant that you always knew when Man City had scored if their home game co-incided with one of ours. The 3rd team continued to be based at Hough End. In the first season in the league, the 2nd team were Division C Champions. The 1st team also gained promotion to the 1st Division around the same time.

In the 1991-92 season the 2nd team reached the Wray Cup Final and only lost out to Mellor after a replay. During the next few years the 3 Parrswood teams experienced a number of promotions & relegations within the various league divisions and in the 1995-96 season we moved to just 2 teams. The following season saw the club switch its home ground to Parrswood High School in Didsbury and apart from 2 seasons at the University Sports pitches in 2000 to 2002, this has remained the club's home ground since then.

Graham Hoy took over as player/secretary for 2 seasons in 1999 and in 2001 the club saw a partial merger with ex-players from the YMCA and Jeff West became club secretary for 4 seasons until the 2005-06 season when Lee Wilkinson stood in as secretary as well as 1st team Manager, club coach and occasional 1st team player! The 1st team gained promotion from Division 3 and then finished runners-up and promotion to Division 1 in the 2005-06 season.

In the summer of 2006, Neil Butler became club secretary, a role he combined with club player. In 2008 the matle passed to Jimmy Clarke who also combines the role with playing for the club.

Club History compiled by Steve Taylor. If any former players or club officials have any other information about the club's history or achievements then please contact Steve (see the contact details on the " club information" page).