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Looking Back: 1989/1990
Northern Counties East League First Division - PROMOTION!!
As we continue to delve into the history of the club, today we focus on the 1989/1990 season, once again we look to ‘South Ossettian’ who posts on the nonleaguezone forum for his memories of the time.
A fantastic run in the League Cup saw us crowned winners against Bridlington Town at North Ferriby United’s ground. Not a bad result, considering Brid had just won the NCEL Premier Division title and were being promoted to the NPL. They also reached the FA Vase final that season, losing to London club Yeading in the replay at Elland Road after a draw at Wembley. Bridlington had beaten Guiseley in the FA Vase semi final, the Guiseley team included Frank Worthington then aged 41.
Micky Norbury was transferred to Scarborough in December 1989, Alan Radford was our top scorer with 15 goals, Dave Leadbeater scored 10. In the reserves, Andy Nicholson scored 12 goals, Dean Beck scored 11.
Other familiar names in the NCEL scoring charts were Ian Noteman (Guiseley), Stuart McKenzie (Bridlington Trinity), Simon Dwyer (Denaby), Paul Viner (Eccleshill), Paul Murphy (Liversedge) and Paul Gilbertson (Emley reserves), who all played for Ossett Town at one or another.
We finished 3rd out of 15 clubs. We were on the same points as Liversedge, but they had a goal difference of plus 28, we had plus 27. But, much to their chagrin, we were promoted instead of them due to our floodlights.
There were lots of changes in the NCEL due to changes in ground grading, including Division One Champions Rowntree Mackintosh being relegated to Division 2!
Were you a player or supporter this season? It would be great to hear your memories of this time in our history, please contact Neil Spofforth by email if you would like to share them with us.