WAKEFIELD AFC (Belle Vue)

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY, WAKEFIELD AFC 3-3 NORTH FERRIBY FC, ATTENDANCE: 339

This afternoon I headed to the Belle Vue, the home of Wakefield Trinity Rugby League, and for season 2023/24, the home of Wakefield AFC. 

This was my first visit here since March 2006 when Wakefield & Emley FC were the 'home' team. I have absolutely no memory of that night but Farsley Celtic beat them 1-0. The ground is currently undergoing some major changes with a new terrace behind the goal and a new main stand still under construction.

This current club to represent Wakefield was founded in 2019, they were promoted to the Northern Counties East League in 2022. They have moved to Belle Vue for season 2023/24, having played at Post Office Road in Featherstone since their formation. 

This afternoon North Ferriby were the visitors for this friendly and it was a decent encounter as Wakefield came from 0-2 and 1-3 down to draw 3-3.

Danny Earl (11) and Joshua Dennett (21) gave The Villagers a 2-0 lead before a Billy Mole penalty (37) halved the deficit. Earl (39) bagged his second to give Ferriby a 3-1 lead at half time.

Mole scored his second on the hour before Mason Rubie (70) ensured the game ended with honours even. A good workout for both teams.

Danny Earl heads home North Ferriby's opening goal.

BURY FC (Gigg Lane)

SATURDAY 8th JULY 2023, PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY, BURY FC 0-6 BRADFORD CITY, ATTENDANCE: 2,135

There was only one place to be this afternoon and that was at Gigg Lane as The Shakers made their return home for the first time since May 2019.

1,526 days if you are counting.

Appropriately, before kick off James' 'Come Home' and Thin Lizzy's 'The Boys Are Back In Town' boomed out from the PA system.

The trials and tribulations of Bury FC are well documented but back in May the two separate supporter-led groups, set up after the club’s expulsion from the Football League in 2019, agreed to merge.

97% of Bury AFC supporters (the club who had represented the town in non-league since 2019 and played at Stainton Park, home of Radcliffe FC) and 90.1% Bury FC supporters (the original club which continued to exist as a fan-led business entity and completed a purchase from the administrator last year but, until now, they had not had a team to play at the ground) voted to come together as one, under the name Bury FC, a decision ratified by the FA in June. Another tune played today - The Beloved 'Sweet Harmony' 

Hopefully with this coming together the wounds can be healed and, going forward, the club can regain it's position in the 92.

Not that the result matters in these games, they are all about fitness and trialling new players, but Bradford, currently managed by ex-Everton and Southampton striker Mark Hughes, ran out comfortable winners thanks to goals from Alex Pattison (7) Andy Cook (12) Emmanuel Osadebe (27) and Liam Ridehalgh (28) then, after completely changing their team at half time, further goals from Matt Derbyshire (53) and Jamie Walker (88).

Highlights of the match can be seen by clicking here