Pontefract Collieries

23rd April 2013

Northern Counties East
Pontefract Collieries 2
Eccleshill United 1

Gate: £5
Atten: 43





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Ground: 8/10

Pontefract is known to have had a football club as far back as the 1890s when a side, presumably composed mainly of soldiers, competed in the West Yorkshire League as Pontefract Garrison. Much of the history of the game in the town is still in need of further research, but it is known that a Pontefract Borough club reached the dizzy heights of the Yorkshire League in the late 1920s.


They failed to finish the 1929–30 season, though. But by 1935, a club called Tanshelf Gems managed to acquire a ground on Ackworth Road, moved there, and became Pontefract United.United ruled the roost in local football before the war, but when hostilities ended in Europe, they were rekindled in the town with the appearance of a Pontefract Collieries side, who by the late 1950s had gained slight bragging rights over their town rivals, both playing in the West Yorkshire League. But in 1960 the old Collieries club became extinct, only for the name to return a couple of years later when United merged with a local youth side and adopted the name for themselves.
Today 'Colls sit proudly near the top of the NCEL just missing out on promotion this season. But rest assured next season will be different as they are making great strides in the upward direction.

The ground is a gem, full of character but at the same time retaining a certain charm. Beautifully ramshackle in parts there is a lot to like about this old lady. The tea hut is excellent and proudly serves some delicious food.
Together with very friendly staff and players and to see some decent football played make a trip to watch the Colls time very well spent.

Match Enjoyment: 7/10
Both teams made this a most enjoyabel match from start to finish. This was no end of season run of the mill game.
Eccleshill United were fielding a team of mainly overseas students from across the pond but they were skillful and energetic.
Pontefract never gave up even after a superb free kick goal from Eccleshill and they got their rewards by the way of a late penalty winner but the final score was always in doubt until the final whistle blew.