FC Farsley denied National League System place, ‘to seek’ entry next year | OneFootball

Leeds-based FC Farsley have been denied a place in the National League System for the 2026/27 season, but remain committed to becoming semi-professional.

The Yorkshire Post understands that FC Farsley have not given up hope of joining the National League System and will seek to do so next year.

The phoenix club, overseen by former Premier League goalkeeper David Stockdale, has replaced the liquidated Farsley Celtic.

The former club were relegated from the National League North last year, then demoted a further two divisions to step five, before withdrawing altogether and not fielding a men’s first team in 2025/26.

As Farsley Celtic withdrew at step five, National League System regulations require any phoenix to enter at least two tiers lower, placing FC Farsley in amateur football with the seventh rung the ceiling for now. An application for step six was lodged in case of a restructure, but it was unsuccessful.

Stockdale and fellow owner, his wife Katie, expressed disappointment after what they described as a thorough application, while respecting the decision and focusing on correct placement and long-term growth.

The club are lining up an amateur league for 2026/27, and continue work towards installing an artificial surface at Throstle Nest, two years after the grass pitch was removed. Before liquidation, Farsley Celtic played home matches in Derbyshire under a controversial groundshare, and while progress on the new surface is understood to have been made, Stockdale has avoided giving a completion date.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk