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Back: Andy Bowler, Richard Harper, Richard Oddy, Sean Taylor, Mark Duce, Nobby Rhodes, AJ Jackson, Simon Coen, John Steenson, John Newsome. Front: Lee Monaghan, Craig Carter, Phil Ridsdale, Lee Woods, Lee Orange, Simon Parker, Martin Woods.

  The summer of 1998 saw HFFC repeat the achievement of 1992, finishing runners-up in the Champions Trophy, at St Nicholas School. Take a bow, Richard Harper, Dave Ridsdale, Ian Kenworthy, Simon Coen, Sean Taylor, Andy Bowler, Lee Monaghan and Simon Parker. We overcame Burley Cons, Spotted Cow and Kippax Welfare, and drew with Maccabi Social to win our group, then beat Agfa in the Quarter-Final and YE Cavalier in the Semi-Final, Richard hitting the winner in a tense penalty shoot-out. An exhausted HFFC side lost 1-0 to the Dalesman in the Final, but once again we managed to make friends and earn respect at the same time.

  Promoted to Division One, Horsforth started 1998-99 in the same vein as the previous season, again unbeaten in the league for a long stretch. The Luty Cup, however, was quickly surrendered, losing to SOL Utd in the first round, and the club's exploits in the County Trophy will be soon forgotten. In the Sunday District Cup, there was another quarter-final exit, this time, at the hands of Burley Cons on our old stamping ground at Butcher Hill, there was at least some honour in the manner of our defeat.

  The race for the title in Division One saw us pitched against our rivals from the previous campaign, Farsley Fleece and Acorn, plus Dewsbury Road Social. Horsforth rattled in some outstanding wins, notably at home to Fleece and Acorn, but too often slipped up against mid-table sides, most notably Troydale at home, and the inability to hold onto a hard-won lead was on several occasions to prove fatal. Nevertheless, the title stayed within reach until the last week of the season, when a crucial defeat in the away game with the Fleece meant they had once again come out on top. Their win was a fitting tribute to the memory of Nicky Burdon, their manager, who died the week before they clinched the trophy.

Back: Richard Harper, Lee Woods, Richard Oddy, Simon Coen, John Steenson, Phil Ridsdale, Mark Duce, Sean Taylor, Sandy Lay, AJ Jackson. Front: Damion Darby, Martin Woods, Lee Monaghan, Andy Bowler, Dave Ridsdale, Simon Parker, Craig Carter, Lee Orange, John Newsome.

  Horsforth's team was fairly similar to that from 1997-98. Richard Harper played most games in goals, but was replaced by Simon Lee towards the end. In defence, John Steenson, Kelvin Tapley, Sean Taylor, Nobby Rhodes, Craig Carter and Dave Ridsdale were the regular players, with Steve Sedgwick staking a claim in the spring. The midfield was held together, as ever, by Phil Ridsdale and Lee Monaghan, with Mark Duce and Andy Bowler now virtually ever-presents too. Early on the season, Simon Coen and Lee Woods had held down a regular place for a lengthy spell. Up front, Simon Parker and AJ Jackson were reinforced by John Newsome and another new signing, Sandy Lay. Other new players who were drafted in from time to time were Richard Oddy (son of Neil), Lee Orange, Paul Rhodes ("Rodders").

  At the end of the season, it was decided to play in the Wharfedale Triangle from 1999-2000.

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Awards.

Goal of the Season - Phil Ridsdale (v. Belle Isle at home).

Top Goal Scorer - AJ Jackson (30).

Club Colours.

First choice - Green and black halved shirts, black shorts and socks.
(green socks in certain away matches).

Change - Not worn. registered as All white.

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