Former Wycombe Wanderers and Birmingham City goalkeeper David Stockdale has announced the formation of FC Farsley after months of turbulence at the non-league side.
Stockdale, who played 73 times for the Chairboys over three spells, has been at the centre of a battle over the future of Yorkshire side Farsley Celtic, who made headlines last season due to playing their home games over 70 miles away from the Leeds suburb.
Originally appointed as manager of The Celt Army, the former shot stopper found himself out of work a short time after as the club withdrew from play following their relegation from the National League North. In June of 2025, he agreed a deal to buy the club, which has since been undergoing legal processes.
Stockdale Fronts New Phoenix Side
Now, in an announcement on Farsley Celtic’s social media pages, it has been announced that the club has been liquidated following the confirmation of the Stockdale family’s full takeover of the club.
A short while after, both David and wife Katie announced the formation of FC Farsley as an official men’s side, following the creation of a women’s club at the start of the campaign.
In a statement on the club website, the 40-year-old and his partner said:
“We are delighted – at last – to formally take the reigns at Farsley. The club and its facilities have real potential and we are honoured to be the owners of a club that has been dear to the hearts of people for many generations.
“However, it’s with a heavy heart that Farsley Celtic will have to be liquidated so we can give give football in Farsley the best chance of future success.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers, fans and staff who helped to keep Farsley Celtic going for as long as it has. We hope you will all join us in going forward with FC Farsley.”
Fresh Start Gives New Life To Town
David Stockdale was put in an unenviable position when he took charge of Farsley Celtic back in February. The club was in chaos and seemingly in free fall towards extinction, and ultimately that was the case following their relegation from the National League North.
Now, the former Wycombe man will have the chance to bring joy back to Farsley with a new phoenix club after what has been a prolonged saga in West Leeds, and while it is some distance away from their heights as a 6th-tier team, it will surely be no time before they can start looking towards returning to higher divisions.
Unfortunately, this is the second time that a Farsley club has met this fate, with the original Farsley FC also going under back in 2010, but with the right guidance and an experienced football man like Stockdale at the helm, this time could be a different story.
