Gamesley Eyeing First Season Success

After nine years without a competitive football team, Gamesley residents have been enjoying Saturday afternoons again since Gamesley FC was revived in September 2025. With two league games left to play and sitting third in the Hope Valley Amateur League table, club chairman, manager and player Tom Burns is reflecting on bringing back the club he grew up watching and first played for as a teenager. “It's been a hit-or-miss season that could’ve gone better,” Burns explains, referring to match cancellations due to weather conditions and patchy on-pitch performances. “But the main thing is that football is back in Gamesley,” he continues, with over 100 fans turning up regularly to cheer on their team at the Melandra Park pitch located behind Gamesley Community Centre.

Most recently in the league, Gamesley FC faced bottom of the league side The 19th Hole FC on 7th March. Despite a 5-2 victory, with goals from Austin Valentine-Clarke (2), Connor Dentith, and Tom Burns (2), the player-manager was unhappy with the team’s performance.

The result was overshadowed, however, by a minute of applause before kick-off in memory of local Gamesley schoolboy Harlow McVey, who passed away in February. A flower memorial and commemorative flag was placed in the centre of the pitch by Burns, who was emotionally impacted by the display. “More people came to Harlow’s memorial match… it was a special day, and you could see the impact this loss has had on the estate,” Tom commented.

Alongside league matches, Gamesley FC have also competed in the Dore Shield this season, reaching the quarter-final stage before bowing out following defeat to league rivals Bamford First Team on penalties. Goals for the away side from Lewis Jackson and captain Tom Kay meant the match finished a draw, before concluding 2-1 on penalties at Bamford with Thornhill Recreation Ground on 21st February.

Tom partially attributed a lack of available players to the cup loss, and notes that recruiting committed players to the team is a goal heading into Gamesley FC’s second season. With the objectives of creating a Reserves side, as well as a youth team, volunteer coaches are also in demand to bring Gamesley FC back to the greatness Tom remembers from his childhood. “We haven’t just built Gamesley FC for adults,” he adds, referring to expanding the team to include children from Gamesley.

To make this possible, the astroturf pitches on-site need to be improved, with the current facilities weathered and unsafe after 40 years of use. Current Gamesley FC players, like Jamie Redmond, grew up using these pitches. “I’ve played on these pitches for years, and I know how much they mean to our young players. This is our chance to make sure the next generation has the best possible facilities”, referring to ongoing fundraising efforts to create up-to-date training grounds and allow the club to grow by having accessible and local spaces to play the sport they love.

Tom and Jamie are both taking part in the ‘Road to the World Cup’’ Challenge, which involves running 3,400 miles over 25 weeks to raise funds for the #GameOnGamesley campaign to transform the sports pitches in Gamesley.

Balancing running miles with washing football kits, lining the football pitch and leading Gamesley FC, Tom and his players have created a team bringing community spirit and unity to the estate every Saturday.

Gamesley Community Group

Connecting and supporting Gamesley with various initiatives.

CONTACT

Email Helen@the-bureau.org.uk or Caitlin@gamesleycommunitycentre.org

© 2025 - Gamesley Community Group CIO is a registered charity in England & Wales, number 1208809. Current contact details as above.

Gamesley Community Centre, Melandra Castle Road, Gamesley, Glossop, SK13 6UQ

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