Eccleshill United

Eccleshill United FC is a non-league football club based in Wrose, Bradford. Wrose is a very residential area. The club was formed in 1948 and played in the Bradford League before joining West Riding County Amateur League.

They reached the Premier Division of the latter competition, becoming champions in 1976-77. Eccleshill’s application to join the Northern Counties East League was rejected in 1982, but they were admitted to Division Three in 1985 after making improvements to their Plumpton Park home.

The third tier was absorbed into Division Two in 1986-87, with United going up to Division One after finishing as runners-up. Promotion to the Premier Division followed in 1990-91. They were demoted in 1993-94 before regaining their status in 1996-97 as Division One champions. 

In June 2007, former ‘Eagles’ player, Mick Watson, was appointed as manager after the departure of Steve Watson who had been at the helm for the previous two years. Ray Price succeeded the boss in October 2008, staying in charge until the end of the 2008-09 campaign.

It ended in relegation. Former goal scorer James Hanson was signed by Bradford City in July 2009 at the start of what would be a fantastic professional career after he had moved from Eccleshill to Guiseley. 

Paul Jenkinson arrived as the new manager in October 2009 after Steve Watson was in charge for a second time and then appointed replacement Danny Bolton decided he could not give the role the commitment it required. Remarkably another new man, Mark Senior, arrived to take the job before the year was out.

In May 2010, experienced Football League midfielder Ian Banks was unveiled as the Eagles' new manager. Bradford City signed an agreement to play their reserve games at Plumpton Park in 2010-11, bringing in valuable coffers to the club. 

Bobby Davidson, another famous pro player was next to take the manager’s job at Plumpton Park, arriving in December 2012. The role continued to attract former players of great stature, with United appointing Lee Duxbury to work under the head of football, Mark Ellis, in July 2013.

Gerard Jones was head coach in 2014-15, as the club ended a partnership with America-based soccer academy RIASA which had provided them with young talent throughout the campaign. Mark Greaves came in to replace Jones. Sean Regan was then appointed in November 2015, stepping up from his coaching role. 

The team reached the playoffs in 2017-18 with Regan’s side defeating Shirebrook Town and then Grimsby Borough to achieve promotion to the Premier Division. The manager eventually stood down in May 2019, being replaced by Lee Elam.

In 2021-22 non-league football was restructuring. United lost their inter-step playoff on penalties to Kempston Rovers which would have seen them promoted to a higher level after finishing as runners-up of the NCEL. Ryan Toulson arrived as manager shortly after. Elam returned to the post in May 2023.

Eccleshill United FC will play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Wednesday 17th September 2008

I was in West Yorkshire for a spot of groundhopping after staying over after watching my club Scarborough Athletic play at Glasshoughton Welfare the previous evening. The early morning had seen me go to Bradford Park Avenue, Halifax Town and then Bradford City. Next on my list was Eccleshill.

I arrived from Valley Parade by bus which dropped me nearby. Entry to the ground is by a gap in between the houses. Unfortunately, the gate was locked meaning I had to negotiate a very muddy public footpath which runs behind the clubhouse. 

A vandalised fence gave me access to a practice pitch behind the Main Stand and enabled me to take my photos over the fence. Plumpton Park appeared a smart ground which mingled in nicely with its neighbours. It has a small section of covering at the Clubhouse End. The dressing rooms and clubhouse were behind this stand. 

The Main Stand was found along one side and sat into a grass bank. The other two sides of the ground were made up of a combination of hard standing and grass. The most notable feature was a throwback to an era when I was first taken to games by my Dad. 

At the far end, there stood a gentlemen's toilet block without a roof and lowish walls. I'm sure this must cause some amusement amongst the local residents who could look down on the patrons from their houses!

I hoped to visit the ground one day to see Scarborough Athletic play as I wanted an excuse to visit the magnificent Four Lane Ends pub built from Yorkshire Stone to sample the Tetleys, which was about a ten-minute walk from the ground.