BRIGHOUSE TOWN FC

Heffernan Utilities Stadium

St Giles Road, Hove Edge, Brighouse. West Yorkshire HD6 2PL

5^th May 2026

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.

Brighouse wrap up their Northern Premier League East campaign with a heavy defeat on the East Coast.

Derry Robson’s side travelled with only two named subs and that is indicative of the struggles the club has had to endure these past few months.

Bridlington’s ‘Players’ Player of The Season’ and Captain Ahmed Salam bagged his second Hat-Trick in a week and opened proceedings after three minutes when he struck left-footed from the right-of-centre of the box with the power and accuracy leaving Michael Acquah no chance.

One of the two substitutes was called upon less than ten minutes into the match as the visitors were forced into an early change for Harry Wood after he blocked to deny Casey Stuart. Early indications signal potential cartilage damage.

Ten minutes later a curled ball up the left set Stanley Hewitt away and with Acquah advancing chipped over and across the Brighouse Captain for the second.

Brighouse looked to capitalise on a mis-hit clearance from Bridlington Goalkeeper Alex Baird, but the intercepting Jack Mason was forced out wide winning a corner which went across goal and out the other side.

Ben Farrar for the hosts had been a constant menace once more down that left side flashing many a low ball across the Brighouse box with little reward for said effort. On thirty-seven however, he opted to cut inside onto his right foot and shoot tucking the third under Acquah.

As four minutes of injury time in the first half was indicated, The Seasiders got another. Alex Markham flicking in unmarked at the near post from a low corner.

Brighouse did have a few half chances as the second half wore on, the main being a header back across goal from Substitute Muhammad Arif which needed to be cleared off the line. Theo Wainman also had a speculative hit from thirty yards well over the bar.

The hosts on the afternoon were more clinical when presented with opportunities and Salam’s second on seventy was an excellent curled left-footed shot from the edge of the area with enough power and accuracy to tuck in at the far post. His Hat-Trick came from the spot five minutes later after Ferdinand Annor pulled a man back in the box.

Two in the last minute from Brid Substitute Ifeanyi Nnenanya were ‘carbon copy’ finishes – down the right side, pushed out wider in the box before finishing low and hard right-footed.

Brighouse Assistant Manager Andy Holihan remarked at Full-Time, “We’ve come with thirteen players and they’ve given their all. We couldn’t ask any more of them”.

Att – 387

Goals – Ahmed Salam x3 (3’, 68’, 74’), Stanley Hewitt (18’), Alex Markham (44’), Ifeanyi Nnenanya x2 (89’, 90’).

Bridlington Town: 1. Alexander Baird, 2. Riley Cooper, 3. Alex Markham, 4. Denny Oliver (Charley Whight – 64’), 5. Ben Whelan (Alexander Huntsman – 80’), 6. Joseph Pratley, 7. Eddie Kettlewell (Hamza Hamdosh – 57’), Ahmed Salam ©, 9. Ben Farrar, 10. Casey Stuart (Ifeanya Nnenanya – 57’), 11. Stanley Hewitt (Olly Green – 57’).

Subs: 12. Hamza Hamdosh, 14. Ifeanya Nnenanya, 15. Olly Green, 16. Charley Whight, 17. Alexander Huntsman.

Brighouse Town: 1. Michael Acquah ©, 2. Derry Robson, 3. Ferdinand Annor, 4. Isaac Acquah, 5. Joshua Eccles, 6. Christopher Cordara-Soanes, 7. Jack Mason, 8. Harry Wood (Muhammad Arif – 9’), 9. Harvey Booth, 10. Reece Mullins (Charlie Howard – 63’), 11. Theo Wainman.

Subs: 12. Muhammad Arif, 14. Charlie Howard.

Brighouse sign off their home PitchingIn Northern Premier League East campaign with defeat as Colliers stay up.

Despite relegation already being confirmed The Orange Army turn in a spirited performance as Ashington score two goals in six second half minutes.

The side from Northumberland started the brighter of the two with each having a goal ruled out for offside in the opening exchanges, but it was Ashington who had the first meaningful chance of the match.

With Liam Henderson making a twentieth minute sprint into the box, Brighouse Goalkeeper Michael Acquah came diving out and was adjudged to have fouled the man as he headed away from goal. Acquah thankfully for the home side guessed the correct way and palmed Craig Spooner’s spot-kick low past his right-hand post. In a season of mostly ‘lows’, this was the sixth save made from twelve yards for Acquah.  

On twenty-seven Brighouse’s Alex Peterson peeled off at the left back post, but had his looping free header saved comfortably by Mathew Alexander. Ollie Thompson for Ashington had a curling ball played from central to set up a shot on-the-run which Acquah had covered at his near post.

The Visitors started the second half the brighter of the two and it was once more Thompson involved. Knocking a ball up the right touchline to Liam Henderson he fired a low ball across which eluded everyone with Brighouse cleared out at the back post. Ashington did however opened the scoring on the hour. It was Thompson again, this time squaring a cross ball from the left into Josh Gilchrist who fired powerfully across a diving Acquah.

Five minutes later Christopher Reid was sent through with appeals for ‘offside’ from the hosts backline falling on deaf ears, he rounded Acquah and doubled the Northumberland sides’ lead. After diving full-stretch to try to deny Reid, he subsequently required the aid of a physio before the restart but thankfully was able to carry on.

Alex Paterson had another back post headed chance well over in the closing exchanges whilst Ashington had the ball in the net once more off a saved rebounded shot via a saving Acquah, but the lineman’s flag was raised for offside once more.

As the season concludes this coming Saturday at Bridlington Town 3pm, Club Secretary of eleven years Dave Parker will be retiring from the role within the club and everyone associated with Brighouse Town FC wishes Dave a happy and enjoyable retirement.

Dear Fan, 

During the scheduled game between Brighouse Town and Ashington Football Club on 18/04/26 filming will be taking place before, during and after the match. Ashington Football Club and some of its members are taking part in a documentary that will be broadcast on BBC One in July 2026 as well being available on iPlayer for a minimum x1 year.  As part of this, we will be filming around the stadium, grounds and during the game.  You may appear incidentally as part of this recording. 

If you do not wish to be filmed, please let one of your team members on location know. They will be wearing orange high viz’s to make them easy to identify. 

If you would like more information, please contact: info@rockpaperproductions.co.uk 

Thank you 

Rock Paper Productions 

Two more defeats in the past week leaves Brighouse Town desperate to start a winning run to preserve their Northern Premier League East Division future.
They lost 3-0 at home to Lincoln United last Wednesday and then went down 4-0 away to North Ferriby on the Saturday.
In both games it was goalless at half-time as the players showed the effort and commitment that Manager Derry Robson has installed in them since he took over the reins, but then in the second halves the opposition broke the deadlock and then sealed Town’s downfall from there.
Last Thursday was deadline day for any new signings and caretaker player-manager Derry Robson managed to get two valuable signings over the line. That was Marcus McKernan from Chesterfield, and Kane Richardson, who after negotiations with parent Club Rotherham Utd, Robson was able to extend his loan period to the end of the season.

On Saturday Town entertain Ossett United (3pm) who are also battling against relegation

The match will be sponsored by Nexus who have been a shirt sponsor now for the past three seasons.
Judging by seriousness of the game for both sides and the local professional clubs not playing, a very good derby game is expected for the holiday fixture
On Easter Monday Town make the short journey to the Horsfall Stadium to take on Bradford Park Avenue (3pm) who are battling away for a play-off place, and have advised fans to get there early and take advantage of Happy Hour prices at the Bar between 1pm-2pm.
Town’s former assistant manager Ricky Ravenhill who left the club last month when manager Grant Black resigned. Has joined Matlock Town where his son a Liam is captain. They had parted with their managed during the week.