One of the five new sides Southport will be competing against in the Vanarama National League North during the upcoming season are Farsley Celtic, who enter the division fresh from finishing top of the Northern Premier League.




Celtic earned promotion in fine fashion as they beat closest title rivals South Shields by only three points.


Starring for the side last season was front man Jimmy Spencer, who finished third highest scorer in the league with 20 goals.


Also providing a threat for the West Yorkshire side was Nathan Cartman and Will Hayhurst, who got 13 goals each in their victorious campaign.


The Northern Premier League success came under coach Adam Lakeland, who took over the reins of the club back in 2017.


Last year’s title success means Farsley will enjoy their first season in the sixth tier of English football since reforming in 2010.


Their reformation was instantly followed by a Northern Counties East League Division One North and a League Cup win in 2011.


A few seasons later Farsley were promoted to the Premier Division after defeating Ossett Town in the Division One North play-off final.


In 2018 they came close to completing back-to-back promotions as they reached the play-offs once again, only to be denied the opportunity to go up after a semi-final defeat to Ashton United.


Nonetheless the club have been able to bounce back despite that disappointment, achieving promotion automatically.


They will provide familiar opposition for Liam Watson’s side after coming up against them in the FA Cup second qualifying round last September.
The Port came out on top of the clash, as Dean Winnard, Dion Charles and Devern Green were all on target in the 3-0 victory.


Now on an equal footing this season, Lakeland will be hoping his side will be able to continue their progress during the new campaign.
Written by Amos Wynn