The club was founded in the summer of 2001 by Allan Ware and Chris Burns and was originally named Skyrack F.C. In its short history the club has progressed from the Red Triangle League through to the West Yorkshire League climbing five levels of the F.A. pyramid.
In the club’s inaugural season a six month unbeaten record spanning from November to April resulted in promotion from the Red Triangle Senior Division to the Premier Division. With financial support from sponsors and the club consolidating their position the following season with a 5th place finish, the newly formed committee put plans in place to move the club to the Yorkshire Old Boys league. The request was granted and Old Headingley A.F.C. was placed in the 1st Division. The committee’s hard work was rewarded as the clubs success continued, convincingly winning the league and subsequent promotion to the Senior B Division.
In 2004/05 another credible season saw the club finish in 4th place. Towards the end of this campaign, Manager Chris Burns and the committee was given the opportunity to once again switch leagues. The decision was made to move to the West Yorkshire League, a direct feeder into the Northern Counties East League. Realising the step-up in standard the club looked to bolster their squad resulting in the introduction of a Reserve team.
With both teams tipped to struggle Old Headingley A.F.C. defied the odds to record a further promotion finishing runners up in West Yorkshire Division 2. The reserves competed equally as well securing an impressive 6th place finish in the West Yorkshire Alliance Division 2, with a strong end to the season. Off the pitch in an attempt to negotiate an affiliation with Collingham and Linton Sports Association (CALSA) the club moved grounds from Lawnswood to Collingham.
Arguably the club’s 2006/07 season was their most successful in their short history. Under the guidance of Maciej Wontorowski and Mark Gilligan the Reserve team continued to improve. A 5th place finish in the league was recorded and a famous cup victory was denied as they succumbed to a 1-0 final defeat. With the First team now playing in the highest league in their history the success continued. The club finished a respectable 4th in the West Yorkshire Division 1 as well as recording possibly their most notable achievement winning the Barkston Ash District F.A.Cup. The year was complete when the club was announced as the FA Charter Standard Adult Club of the Year.
Buoyed by the clubs achievements Old Headingley A.F.C. looked to build on their successes. However in unfortunate circumstances they were evicted from Collingham and homeless as the 2007/08 season approached. Garnering substantial press coverage and support from the local community, Bradford University heard about the campaign and agreed to allow the club to play at Woodhall Lane just days before the club had to concede defeat.
With a new ground secured and the club on a high it was surprising that the next two seasons for both the First Team and Reserves proved frustrating affairs. A combination of inconsistent performances and management uncertainty resulted in mid-table finishes for both teams. Fortunately the committee did not follow suit and within a year of leasing Woodhall lane, a perimeter fence had been installed to ensure league requirements were met. This was funded with the help of the Football Foundation who issued an £8000 grant to assist. The club also managed to win FA Charter Standard Adult Club of the Year for the second time and set a record as the fastest club to achieve Chartership from inception in only 2 years and 11 months.
Keen to move forward the teams suffered mixed fortunes in 2009/2010. Led by the experienced Rob Notman and Sam Brown, the Reserves easily won the West Yorkshire Alliance Division 2 title. Unfortunately the First team was to suffer a much worse fate. Not even the return of Chris Burns as Manager could prevent the club from a 14th place finish, providing the club with its first set-back and relegation to Division 2.
Currently in the 2010/11 season Old Headingley A.F.C. are well placed to regain Division 1 status. The reserves playing at their highest standard to date look set to comfortably finish in the top half after a strong start to 2011. Off the pitch the club is as healthy as ever, with the committee discussing important development plans.
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