Who we are...

We are an FA Charter Standard club based in Huddersfield, providing football for all ages, from under 4s to U21s, two adult sides and a walking football team.

Our home ground, the Graham Leslie Arena, at Storthes Hall Park, is one of the best sporting facilities around, with 5 full size pitches, 2 mini-soccer pitches an astroturf pitch, clubhouse and terracing. It is also the home to Huddersfield Town Women FC, and Huddersfield Dragons Hockey Club.

Our first team currently compete in the Yorkshire Amateur League, whilst our newly formed Development team will play in the Huddersfield District League in the 2026/27 season.

Junior & Youth Teams: we cater for all ages, starting with toddler/preschool sessions (ages 4–7), running through our youth squads for U7s to U18s

Adult Teams: The club runs two open-age men's teams, and two U21s teams, acting as a competitive pathway for transitioning youth players into senior football.

Additional Programs: The club also runs a Walking Football session.

Our Story

Shelley FC was founded in 1903, and for 70 years played football in the Huddersfield and District League, before folding in 1972.

In 1980 the club was reformed by Ash Berry, Paul Hirst and Steven Shephard and in 2000 moved from the village of Shelley to Skelmanthorpe Recreation ground.

With the support of The Leslie Sports Foundation and the Football Foundation the club moved to our current Storthes Hall Park ground in 2011, forming a junior section to run alongside the adults.

Since the move to Storthes Hall Park the club has enjoyed several promotions, from the Huddersfield & District League, through the West Yorkshire Association League (Divisions 2, 1 and Premier) and into the North West Counties Football League, all under the guidance of Ash Berry and his assistants.

After two successful seasons in the NWCFL Division 1, and with the team on track for promotion to the Premier Division, the season was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result of the economic downturn the club returned to it’s amateur status in 2020 and resigned from the North West Counties League.

After a couple of successful seasons in the West Yorkshire Association Football League the club were re-elected to the North West Counties league for the 2023/24 season; moving laterally to the North East Counties League for the 2024/25 season.

A further restructuring of the club, saw the club return to amateur status for the 2025/26 season, with our adult team finishing 3rd in the Yorkshire Amateur League Premier Division, and winning the Sheffield & Hallamshire Trophy. In addition, our U21s team was set up and joined the North Midlands Development Football League.

In 2026 the club entered a strategic partnership with All Skills Elite to provide a player pathway from junior to adult football.

The Leslie Sports Foundation

...is the Registered Charity that owns the Storthes Hall sports facility and Shelley CFC.

Alll income, sponsorship, subscriptions and donations that the football club receives are reinvested into the football club itself, with the charity being focused on
raising additional monies to cover the shortfall, and to maintain the facility for the use of the wider community.

The Leslie Sports Foundation is committed to helping the people of Kirklees to access excellent sporting facilities, and to support local community groups.

For enquiries about the work of the charity, please contact Craig Leslie (07788 668959)

Timeline

1903 Club founded

1972 Club folded

1980 Club reformed

2011 Leslie Sports Foundation

The move to Storthes Hall Park

Junior section formed

2018 Elected to North West Counties League

2020 Resigned semi-pro status.

Rejoined West Yorkshire League

2023 Re-elected to North West Counties League

2024 Transferred to North East Counties League

2025 Restructure - resignation from NE Counties

Yorkshire Amateur League

U21's founded

2026 Partnership formed with All Skills Elite

Honours

ADULTS

1904/05 Huddersfield & District Div 2 Section A - Winners
1904/05 Championship - Runners-up
1928/29 Huddersfield & District Div 2 - Winners
1960/61 Huddersfield & District Div 3 - Winners

Groom Cup - Winners

1986/87 Huddersfield & District Div 3 - Winners

2000/01 Huddersfield & District Reserve Div 2 - Winners
2009/10 Huddersfield & District Div 4 - Winners
Groom Cup - Winners
2010/11 Huddersfield & District Div 3 - Winners
Groom Cup - Winners
2011/12 West Yorkshire League Div 2 - Winners
2012/13 West Yorkshire League Div 1 - Runners up
2013/14 Huddersfield & District Div 2 - Runners up (Reserve team)
2016/17 West Yorkshire Association League Alliance Div 2 - Winners (Reserve team)
2018/19 West Yorkshire Association League - Div 2 - Promotion (Reserve team)

2021/22 West Yorkshire Assoc. League - Division 2 Runners up

2025/26 Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA Trophy

Our Management Team

The football club is run by the following volunteers...

Chris Johnson

Chairman

Cassie Turner

Treasurer

Alison Moody

Club Welfare Officer

Andy Taylor

Secretary (Juniors)

Peter Southwell

Secretary (Adults)

Sam Taylor

Head of Adults

Gareth Littlewood

Head of Development

Lee Freeman

Head of Foundation

VACANCY

Commercial

Manager

VACANCY

Social Media

Manager

VACANCY

Volunteer
Co-ordinator

Chris Calvert

Coach Rep

(Adults)

James Noble

Coach Rep

(Juniors)

Dan Heppenstall

Coach Rep

(Adults)

VACANCY

Parent

Representative

VACANCY

Parent

Representative

The management group will work closely with Craig Leslie, Chairman of the Leslie Sports Foundation, and Ash Berry, Head of Facilities.

OUR VISION. OUR MISSION.

Our vision is to be one of the top clubs in West Yorkshire by providing football opportunities for all ages and abilities, from under 4s to adults, and walking football, while fostering a strong community spirit.

Our mission is helping juniors progress through grassroots to adult football by developing a pathway for young players of all abilities in to adult football, playing, coaching, or refereeing; whilst achieving the highest possible level for the first team and ensuring its sustainability.

Our Club Sponsors

The Graham Leslie Arena

The Graham Leslie Arena (formally known as the Stafflex Arena) is a prominent multi-sports complex located at Storthes Hall Park, formerly Storthes Hall Student Village in Kirkburton, Huddersfield. Named after local entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former Huddersfield Town chairman Professor Graham Leslie CBE, the site serves as a vital community grassroots sports hub.