Eccleshill United

Eccleshill United FC are a non league football club based in Wrose, Bradford. Wrose is a very residential area and the last place you'd be likely to come across a non league football ground. The club were formed in 1948 and played in the Bradford League and West Riding County Amateur League for many years.

In 1985 'The Eagles' joined the Northern Counties East League where they won promotion to the Premier Division by way of liftiing the First Division title in 1997. The club were relegated in 2009 when they looked to bring in youth players including some from the USA. Bradford City signed an agreement to play their reserve games at Plumpton Park in 2010-11 season, bringing in valuable coffers to the club.

Former Barnsley midfielder Ian Banks had a spell as manager before former Leeds United and Derby County favourite Bobby Davison took over in December 2012.

Eccleshill United FC will play in the Northern Counties East League Division One in season 2014-15.

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 a 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 practise 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 down one side and sits into a grass bank. The other two sides of the ground were made up of a combination of hard standing and grass.

The most notible feature was a throwback to an era when I was first taken to games by my Dad. At the far end there stood a gentlemans 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 hope to visit the ground one day to see Scarborough Athletic play as I want an excuse to visit the magnificent Yorkshire Stone built Four Lane Ends pub to sample the Tetleys, which is about a ten minute walk from the ground.