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Back: Lee Monaghan, Karen, Simon Coen, Dave Ridsdale, Liam Fenteman, Paul Rhodes, Matthew Ridsdale, James Hunt, AJ Jackson, Phil Ridsdale, Mark Duce, Simon Lee, John Steenson, Simon Banoub, David Pitchforth, Chris Bennett, Kev, Steve Sedgwick. Front: Daryl, Pete Guzdek, Simon Parker, Lee Orange, Lee Woods, John Newsome, Mike Romagnoli, Ara Boyrazian, Woody.

  Another season of inconsistent performances and variable results. Horsforth reached the Quarter-Finals of the League Cup and (for once) the District Cup, but both runs ended in disappointment. In the league, a poor start meant we were never in contention, but a run of decent form at the end of the campaign brought us back up to a respectable third place.

  Recent arrivals Simon Banoub and Liam Fenteman figured strongly in the defence, as the more experienced players such as Phil Ridsdale, Steve Sedgwick and John Steenson found injury and unavailability restricted their appearances. New signing Matt Hazel also impressed towards the end of the season. In goal, James Hunt was again a rock, adding a string of notable penalty saves to his repertoire, with David Pitchforth also getting in a run of fine displays. Alongside Lee Monaghan and Mark Duce, the central midfield was augmented by the return of Simon Coen, plus new arrival Scott Lyons. Simon Lee, Dave Ridsdale and Pete Guzdek were all in action in the midfield or defence as required. Lee Woods and Michael Romagnoli also played in midfield during the early days of the season, with Matty Ridsdale another dependable squad player. Up front, Simon Parker was again in goalscoring form, but injuries to John Newsome and AJ Jackson meant more call-ups for younger attackers such as Nick Perchard, Steve Lane, and, latterly, Rich Torley.

  The league results in the autumn months had been disappointing, but by Christmas the side were becoming noticably more focused. The District Cup run featured a string of rousing wins, but reached a controversial climax when the tie against local rivals New Rover was abandoned due to the weather with Horsforth a goal and a player up. Losing the rearranged game a month later might have ended the affair for some clubs. After a handful of indifferent games, the team improved dramatically for a couple of weeks, then faded away rapdily and unexpectedly to lose a League Cup Quarter-Final tie at Keighley. Again though, we bounced back, and ended with a string of fine results against the league's best teams. That these were achieved with a side lacking many regulars could only further enhance the belief in the club's future.

  For the first time since 1984, Horsforth ditched the familiar green strips this season, and began playing in a series of blue kits. This year's model, a rather splendid striped Nike outfit generously provided by Brimak Joinery, sadly came to grief in a washing machine before we'd worn it in anger, sort of symptomatic of a club that was losing its way a bit. Not exactly a crisis as yet, but it was plain we had some rebuilding to do.

  Highlight of the season? The Easter weekend - starting in third place, we overcame Shipley Town to go above them into second spot, then beat champions-elect Rawdon to go top of the table. We knew it would only be for a few days, but at least it reminded everyone else we still meant business.

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Awards.

Goal of the Season - Simon Parker (v. New Rover away).

Top Goal Scorer - Lee Monaghan, Simon Parker (21 each).

Club Colours.

First choice - Blue and white striped shirts, blue shorts, blue socks .

Change - Green shirts, black shorts and socks, worn in the away matches with Olicanians, Vita United, Shipley Town, and home match with Park Rangers .

Also Yellow shirts, green shorts and socks, worn in the away match with Rawdon.

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