Club Statement | 6th May 2026
𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐅𝐂
𝐇𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦
𝐒𝐭 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝, 𝐇𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞. 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐃𝟔 𝟐𝐏𝐋
Brighouse Town AFC has taken the decision to request a realignment in the non-league football structure and return to playing at an amateur level at Step 7 of the Football League Non-league pyramid.
The hope is to be accepted into the West Yorkshire Association Football League. Dialogue has already begun with the management committee of this league and there has been a very positive response and reaction to our plans. We have notified the Northern Premier League and the FA of our decision and await guidance on the formal process to enable this to happen.
This is decision hasn’t been taken lightly but affords the men’s senior team a reset and a chance to re-establish itself and grow once again.
The Club takes great pride in its rise from the former West Riding County Amateur League in 2008 to the Northern Counties League First Division and then gaining promotion to the Northern Counties Premier League in 2010. Promotion to the Northern Premier League – step 4 of the Non-League Football Pyramid was gained in 2014 where it has remained up until this season. We have often said we felt we were batting above our station, but we have had a great ride and some fantastic memories and friendships made.
Spiralling wage, travel, infra-structure and administrative costs along with the loss of key experience at a senior level have caused a strategic re-appraisal and need for re-alignment.
Mark Booth has stepped forward to take the role of Chairperson of the whole club, and he will be ably assisted by Julian Prior as Secretary along with existing members of the Club’s committee. The Junior and Women’s sections are unaffected and continue to grow, and this decision will allow the whole club the chance to move forward as a united entity.
Although this is the end of one era, it is the start of a new one. We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to our supporters, volunteers, and partners for their continued backing. We hope you will remain with us on this journey as we build the next chapter of Brighouse Town AFC and continue to provide a football hub that the town can be proud of.
Brighouse Town AFC Executive Committee.