In March 2019, it was announced that a new professional football club, Wakefield AFC, would be established in Wakefield, which at the time was the UK's largest city without its own team. The club was founded by local businessman Mike Hegarty and was chaired by former Manchester United player and Sheffield Wednesday manager, Chris Turner. The new team was set to begin playing in the Central Midlands League for the 2019/20 season. [1]
In August 2019, although intending to debut in the Central Midlands League, the club announced they were preparing for its first full season in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League, along with a new kit and sponsor. [2]
In January 2022, QPR's Gabriel Mozzini was appointed as the new first-team manager, succeeding Lockwood. The appointment was announced by chairman Guilherme Decca as a key part of a wider reorganisation of the club. [11]
When Mozzini was appointed, the team was mid-table, with promotion prospects looking doubtful. In an interview, Mozzini acknowledged that the club was "in no man's land" when he arrived, and the primary objective was simply to secure a top-five finish. [12]
However, under his guidance, the team went on a remarkable 17-game unbeaten run to close out the season, which included a run of six consecutive clean sheets. [13]
The turnaround culminated on 14 May 2022, when Wakefield AFC defeated Dodworth Miners Welfare 2-0 at home in the final game of the season. The victory secured the club's first-ever league title in front of a record crowd and confirmed their promotion. [14]
On 12 May 2022, Wakefield AFC was promoted to Northern Counties East League Division One for 2022–23 season. [15]
In their inaugural season at Step 6, the 2022–23 Northern Counties East League Division One, Wakefield AFC secured a 4th-place finish to qualify for the promotion play-offs. [16] The club's campaign concluded in the play-off semi-finals following a 1–0 loss to Rossington Main on 15 April 2023. [17]
Off the pitch, the club underwent significant financial changes during the season leading to club debt reducing by 85%, operational losses reducing by 60% and playing budget doubling [18]
The new ownership also invested in the community and Wakefield AFC Juniors was formed for the 2023–24 season. Wakefield AFC Juniors started successfully with around 350 kids playing for the club from U7 to U15 age groups.
The season 2023–24 started with two major changes within the club organization. First, it was a complete redesign of the club's badge and visual identity. The club enlisted Christopher Payne (football designer) for the rebranding. During the Summer 2023 the club also moved back to Wakefield to play at Belle Vue (Wakefield). The move represented a big step towards building a financially sustainable future for the club as the central location and easier commuting helped increase attendance significantly, with a jump of more than 80% increase year on year.
Performance for the 2023–24 season was still inconsistent and in March 2024, Mozzini left his position as manager and the club appointed Junior Roberti as the new First Team Manager. [19]
However, Roberti didn't last long, by October 2024 he was also gone, replaced by former Shirebrook Town manager Stephen Bodle who got them into the play offs again. Despite strong financial backing, Wakefield have finished 4th, 4th and 3rd in their 3 seasons at level 10 (step 6) and have failed to get promoted, losing in the play off semi final on each occasion.
On 18 August 2025, following a poor start to the 2025-2026 season, the club announced that Stephen Bodle and Lee Needham had been relieved of their duties as First Team Manager and Assistant Manager. [20]
On 19 August 2025, announced former professional footballer Jason Blunt as the new First Team Manager, moving from Doncaster City. [21]
