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Back: Andy Bowler, Woody, Steve Sedgwick, Nick Perchard, Simon Lee, John Steenson, Andy Jackson, Mark Duce, Liam Fenteman, Simon Banoub, Danny. Front: Shannon, Arran, Lee Monaghan, Michael Romagnoli, Simon Parker, Phil Ridsdale, Matthew Ridsdale, James Hunt, Jamie.

  The 2001-02 season was a huge disappointment for HFFC. Although the squad seemed stronger than ever before, injury and unavailability problems hit the team hard around October, resulting in a disastrous run of five consecutive defeats, leaving the club significantly off the pace in the league and out of both cups. Maddeningly, our erstwhile rivals Park Rangers also had an indifferent season, and with Rawdon temporarily out of contention this campaign was - in hindsight - the year when we had our best chance to win the coveted Premier Division championship. With Rawdon re-emerging as the league's top club by the end of the season, it looked like it would be a while before we got another such opportunity.

  Kelvin Tapley and Nobby Rhodes were absent from the defence, though in Liam Fenteman the club had unearthed a very competent young defender who promised much for future years, and another new recruit, Simon Banoub, added his impressive presence to the back four. John Steenson, Phil Ridsdale and Steve Sedgwick continued to be the mainstays at the back, with James Hunt ever-present in goal. The midfield centered on Lee Monaghan and Mark Duce: however, Ducey's early injury was one of the main contributory factors in the team's poor autumn form. Simon Lee held down the left-sided midfield spot at first, then had a string of games at left-back; likewise Dave Ridsdale and Pete Guzdek played with distinction in both defence and midfield. Andy Bowler missed much of the season with injuries, as Mike Romagnoli and Andy Constable also staked a claim from time to time. New signings abounded: Steve Lane got better as the season developed, in midfield and attack, while Ara Boyrazian and Ian Taylor also made steady progress. The forward line was less prolific than the previous campaign, but still comprised a foursome of strikers the envy of many other clubs: Simon Parker and Andy Jackson were generally first choice again, but John Newsome and Nick Perchard also made valuable contributions.

  After a disappointing time in the early months, HFFC dragged themselves back into contention at the top of the table, but always had too much ground to make up on the leaders. It fell to our neighbours, Horsforth Rangers, to emerge from the pack as champions, though the race was as tight as ever, key home reverses at the hands of Rawdon and Horsforth Rangers being instrumental in ending what always looked a token challenge from ourselves. Rangers also eliminated us from the Supplementary Cup at the Semi-Final stage, a setback which brought a relatively undistinguished season to a premature close.

  Best moment was probably the opening run of three wins in early September, and then finding ourselves 2-0 up away to Keighley Athletic at half-time. The second half collapse in that game presaged the disasters of October, but for a time it felt as if this really could have been our sesaon.

  But, as they say, there's always next year...

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Awards.

Goal of the Season - Simon Parker (v. Thackley Commercial away).

Top Goal Scorer - Simon Parker (17).

Club Colours.

First choice - Green and black hooped shirts, black shorts, black socks .

Change - White shirts, black shorts and socks, worn in the away matches with New Rover and Horsforth Rangers.

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