Wakefield A.F.C.

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Wakefield
Wakefield AFC Crest.png
Full nameWakefield Association Football Club
Nickname(s)Wakey
Founded2019
Stadium Belle Vue (Wakefield)
Capacity9,300
OwnerFan shareholders with V02 Capital the majority shareholders
ChairmanGuilherme Decca
ManagerStephen Bodle
League Northern Counties East League Division One
2023–24 Northern Counties East League Division One, 4th of 23
Website http://www.wakefieldafc.co.uk/

Wakefield A.F.C. is an association football club formed in 2019 and currently playing in the Northern Counties East League Division One at Step 6 (Level 10) of the English football pyramid.

Contents

History

A group of businessmen founded the club in 2019 but the team never completed its inaugural season after the 2019–20 campaign was abandoned during the pandemic. The club accumulated significant debt from 2019 and 2021 and during the 2021–22 campaign was behind many financial obligations with the community.

In November 2021, VO2 Capital, a Connecticut-based family office took a majority interest at the football club and effectively saved the club from going under.

VO2 Capital took over the club in 7th place with half a season to go. Right after taking over VO2 Capital also announced a merger with Wakefield Trinity Ladies Football Club, thus creating a new women's section for Wakefield AFC.

In January 2022, Chairman Guilherme Decca appointed Gabriel Mozzini as first team manager as part of several measures taken by VO2 Capital to re-organize the club. Under Mozzini guidance the team went on a remarkable run of 17 unbeaten games including 6 consecutive clean sheets to finish the season. On 14 May Wakefield AFC finally won their first league title after beating Dodworth Miners at home in the last game of the season.

On 12 May 2022, Wakefield AFC was promoted to Northern Counties East League Division One for 2022–23 season.

In its first season in Step 6 the club was competitive from the start and although the campaign was marked by inconsistent performances the club reached the play-off semi-finals.

The club was competitive on the field and off of it significant changes were made, and the club reduced its debt burden significantly with owners VO2 Capital paying off all the previous debt to the community (Barnsley and Wakefield Council as well as previous employees and providers). 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, the club appointed Junior Roberti as the new First Team Manager. [1]

Stadium

The club play their games at the Millennium Stadium, Post Office Road, home of rugby league team Featherstone Rovers. The club previously played in Barnsley but wanted to move to a stadium within the WF postcode area. For the 2023–24 season, the club finally played in Wakefield through a groundshare at Belle Vue, Wakefield with rugby league team Wakefield Trinity. [2] After only 1 season playing in the City, Wakefield returned to play in Featherstone in 2024 [3]

First-team squad

As of 1 April 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of England.svg  ENG George Bristol
2 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Aaron Pilkington
3 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Callum Charlton
4 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Jayden Sandhu
5 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Jack Durkin
6 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Jack Cairney
7 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Oli Rodriguez
8 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Jordan Helliwell
9 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Ben Gelder
10 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Seb Losa
11 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Mason Rubie
12 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Nathan Hawkhead
13 GK Flag of England.svg  ENG Callum Gladding
14 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG T'Nique Finshley
15 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Cameron Barnett
16 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Lewis Stephens

Technical Staff

Coaching Staff
NamePosition
Stephen BodleManager
Lee NeedhamAssistant Manager


Records

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References

  1. ↑ Harber, Tony (26 March 2024). "Junior Roberti off to impressive start as Wakefield AFC boss after departure of Gabe Mozzini". wakefieldexpress.co.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  2. ↑ Ltd, Go Media. "WAKEFIELD AFC TO PLAY AT THE MILLENNIUM STADIUM". Featherstone Rovers. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  3. ↑ "Wakefield AFC return to Millennium Stadium". www.ncefl.org.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
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