Old Headingley AFC

Media Kit
Contents: News Release and Photograph Club History Player Profile Promotional Video Match Report

News Release January 2012 For immediate release

A new year brings a new manager for Old Headingley AFC As 2012 begins, local amateur football team Old Headingley are introducing a new manager to their first team in the shape of old head and former favourite Leigh Fearn. New boss Leigh Fearn joined the club as a player when it was first founded and retired at the end of the 2009/10 season. He made a record amount of appearances as a player, reaching over 100, a record that has only recently been beaten by current captain Andy Williams. He picks up the reigns after the departure of former manager Chris Burns, who was one of the original founders of the club back in 2001, and returned to the club in 2009 to help manage the first team. Chris recently announced his resignation from the club due to the imminent birth of his first child. He has been a prominent figure throughout the clubs history and one of the reasons the club is where it is today. He was also the main driving force behind the club achieving charter status. Originally from Derby, new boss Leigh is hoping that he will be able to continue aiding the clubs development as they push for promotion from their current Division One status. Club chairman Sam Brown hopes its a bold new future for the growing club: "It was very disappointing that Chris had to step down as he was the embodiment of everything that Old Headingley was, however family has to come first. Not a club to rest on our laurels, we're delighted that we can announce Leigh as the new Old Headingley first team manager. Leigh knows the club and players inside out and crucially, he's aware of everything the club stands for. The players are really excited to have him lead the ship and he'll do a sterling job. Since his retirement Leigh has stayed involved with the club by acting as their fitness coach. He also spent the last few months of the 2010/11 season as the manager of the second team, so he certainly has plenty of experience! Old Headingley AFC, who currently play at Woodhall Lane, are also starting 2012 without a clubhouse. Their original clubhouse, that acted as a place to relax, re-energise and socialise after games was unfortunately burnt down recently and the club are hoping to raise funds to have it refurbished. So as the club start a New Year as seventh in the table, Leigh can look forward to continuing the clubs successes and hopefully the club will have a new home as well as a strong table finish by the end of the season. *Ends* Editors notes: The club has been awarded Charter Standard Adult Club of the Year in both 2006 and 2008. They play in the West Yorkshire Division 1, the Reserves play in West Yorkshire League Alliance Division 1, newly formed 3rd team play in Red Triangle Division One. Primary sponsor is the Skyrack.

For further media enquiries and information please contact Leah Sandamas l.sandamas3758@student.leedsmet.ac.uk or visit the clubs website www.oldheadingleyafc.com/new/

Photograph and caption to accompany news release

Old Headingley AFC have a strong bond and are looking forward to welcoming new manager Leigh Fearn.

Old Headingley AFC Club History

Over a decade in the making... Formed in 2001, Old Headingley AFC have been climbing through the football leagues for just over a decade. Originally named Skyrack F.C, Allan Ware and Chris Burns started the team in the Red Triangle League and have since watched the club develop in many ways. The first season for the club saw them gain a six-month unbeaten record with them failing to lose a game from November to April. This gave them the promotion they deserved into the Premier Division. One successful season in the Premier Division gave the club all the confidence it needed to make the decision to switch leagues and move into the Yorkshire Old Boys league. They were placed in the first division of this league which they then went on to win, resulting in a further promotion to the Senior B Division. At the end of another good season in 2005 the club were once again given the opportunity to switch leagues and so the club found themselves in the West Yorkshire League. As a direct feeder into the Northern Counties East League, the club committee decided the West Yorkshire League would be the best move for Old Headingley AFC. However, they also recognised the rise in standard in this league and acted by creating a reserve team in order to increase their squad. Neither team were expected to do that well in the season that followed, but Old Headingley AFC (first team) showed what true dedication and commitment can achieve as they finished as runners up in West Yorkshire Division 2. The reserves performed well themselves and gained a well-earned sixth place in West Yorkshire Alliance Division 2. Possibly the most successful of all their seasons, 2006/07 saw the reserve team make a cup final and finish 5th in the league, whilst the first team were enjoying playing in the highest league in their short but impressive history. They ended the season in 4th place and also won the Barkston Ash District F.A Cup probably their best achievement to date. In 2006 the club were also announced as the FA Charter Standard Adult Club of the Year, an award that they also regained in 2009 and set the record for the fastest club to achieve Chartership from inception. They did this in just 2 years and 11months. In the meantime the club found themselves without a ground for some time with Bradford University finally coming to their rescue and offering them use of Woodhall Lane, which is where the club currently play. After a year at this ground the club were given an 8,000 grant by the Football Foundation so they could make improvements and match league regulations. The 2009/10 season saw the return of original founder Chris Burns as Manager, although this didnt appear to help the first team as they found themselves finishing in 14th place and relegated to Division 2. The lower league didnt appear to suit Old Headingley however and they had a strong 2010/11 season which saw them regain promotion to Division 1. The club are currently enjoying a successful start to the 2011/12 season in this league and are also looking forward to further developments in and around the club and its ground.

Player Profile Kieran Burns

Kieran Burns
Age Hometown Preferred Position Seasons at the club Honours/Awards Supports Height Weight 26 Whitley Bay Midfield 4 WYAFL Alliance Div 2 Winner 2009/10 Newcastle United 6ft 2 12 stone

Attacking-midfielder Kieran Burns is a talented footballer, with a strong record and an even more promising future. Having played over 100 games for the club first team and reserves he is a key figure and inspiring character for all the players and fans. Known amongst his team-mates for his retro hair style, which gives him at least another 2 inches on his already imposing height, Kieran is always involved with the action on field. Although preferring to play in midfield, he is a great all-rounder and can be seen attacking the goal at one end, and then showing great defending skills at the other. One great example and true testament to his versatility comes from the fact that in the Quarter Final of the Bradford & District Cup vs Thackley AFC, Kieran found himself stepping into the goal-keeping role. Surviving 90 minutes and extra time, the game ended in a draw and so Kieran faced penalties. Not known for backing down, Kieran stepped up to the mark and saved 3 penalties. Unfortunately Old Headingley lost the match, but Kieran remained a hero amongst fans and team-mates alike. Kierans key highlight comes from the 2009/10 season, where the reserve team won promotion to the West Yorkshire League Alliance Division One. This was one of the teams strongest seasons to date and Kieran was instrumental in helping the team achieve success as his focus and determination on and off the field remains inspiring. This season saw the team lose only 3 games in 26 matches played, a record that is still untouched. Kieran continues to play in the 2011/12 season for the club and is looking forward to what should be a very bright future.

Old Headingley AFC Video Footage

The below link is to a promotional video for Old Headlingley AFC, it showcases their vast range of skills and talent, not to mention their need for a new clubhouse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quPxktBqWYQ

Match Report
Debut performance from new player brings spark of promise to Old Headingley reserves. Wonder-goals, debut-smashers and controversial line-judging, this Saturday afternoon football match on one cold afternoon in November had pretty much everything! After a disappointing start to the 2011 season, Old Headingley AFC reserves (OH) had a lot to prove in this game against Boroughbridge and with promising new player Nick Gledhill starting on the bench, OH knew they needed to get a good start. The first 20 minutes or so were very slow with little action to report at either end as both teams struggled to settle into the game. OH were the first team to create an opportunity with right-back Tim Monkhouse delivering a well-placed cross into the area, unfortunately the attacking player Adey Shields was unable to direct the ball towards the goal. Boroughbridge never looked threatening and were unable to make any good attacking plays and reverted to passing long balls up-field which the OH back four were able to deal with easily. The first real chance that Boroughbridge generated forced a great save from OH goal-keeper Francis, as the ball was heading towards the top corner he made it just in time to send it round the post. Following this attack on their own goal, OH seemed to raise the bar and made some good play. They showed tactical passes and inspiring set plays which kept the ball threatening the Boroughbridge goal. OH were then awarded a free kick which led to a strong attack and then shot on goal, forcing a save from the Boroughbridge goalkeeper. Two minutes later the tables turned and an almost identical situation sprang from a free kick at the other end of the pitch, luckily Francis pulled out another great save. Not happy with having their own goal attacked again, OH proceeded forward, and this time with more success as a cross that came into the box was poorly headed out by a defender and Adey Sheilds volleyed it right over the keeper and into the back of the net to create what can only be described as a wonder-goal and one that may be a contender for goal of the season. The OH defenders then had to step up to the mark as Boroughbridge pressed hard for a couple of minutes, creating some good chances. The defenders worked hard though and managed to stop any chances from becoming goals. As Old Headingley then pressed up-field a controversial line decision caused uproar from the Boroughbridge players. Kieran Burns (OH) was dribbling the ball down the right-hand side of the pitch when it appeared to go over the line, yet there was no whistle blown by the referee or the linesman. The Boroughbridge players expressed their detest explicitly to the ref, which then caused OH manager Chris Burns to give a demonstration of where he felt the ball was and that in fact, it was not over the line, much to the amusement of all the spectators. Fortunately half time followed shortly after. Half time score 1-0 Boroughbridge started the second half strongly, with the Old Headingley defence appearing weaker than in the first half. Boroughbridge noticed this and attacked accordingly, slotting balls between defenders with apparent ease. It didnt take long for this stylish play to pay off as the away team were given a throw in deep into the OH half. The attacking striker managed to get on the end of it and send it straight into the back of the net. (1-1) This prompted the first substitution of the game as debutant Nick Gledhill came onto the field and immediately got into the action, it was as if hed always been a part of the team. OH were able to regain control of the game and make some pressing attacks on goal. After hitting the side-netting, a

controversial offside decision and a couple more substitutions, OH managed to retake the lead of the game with a stunning first goal from first-time player Gledhill with just 15 minutes left in the match. The goal came as Adey Sheilds played the ball to Gledhill on the edge of the area, who then smashed a shot straight passed the goal keeper and into the top-left corner of the goal. (2-1) Having the lead so close to the end of a game isnt unknown territory for Old Headingley, their only problem has been keeping it. The first few months of the 2011 season have seen them give away leads in the dying moments of the game on more than one occasion, so this was obviously in the minds of all the players as the clock started ticking away towards 90 minutes. It was clear that Boroughbridge were aware of this and made a tactical change to an attacking formation with just minutes to go. They managed to force a corner and although the delivery was initially blocked, it then found an attacker who struck it cleanly through the busy penalty area and right into the back of the net. The final whistle then blew on what was a disappointing and all too familiar match end for the Old Headingley reserves. A draw can be seen as a satisfying result at this stage in the season for OH, but it is disappointing to give away yet another win at the late stages of a game. However, the team will look forward to the next game and have given themselves one key area that they can focus on and hopefully start 2012 as a winning team