AFC Emley have announced they have secured FA, County FA and league approval to change the Toolstation NCEL Division One club's name to Emley AFC as of the start of next season.

A statement, released at 7:03pm on Tuesday 19th March, 2019, to coincide with the year that the first club with that name was born, said: "Many in football will see this as a case of changing back to Emley AFC.

"The original Emley AFC was formed in 1903 and played in the West Yorkshire village until the club's ill-fated move to Wakefield which also meant the original name of the club was eventually lost, until now.

"AFC Emley was formed in 2005 to keep football in the village of Emley in the name of Emley.

"With the demise of the Wakefield club five years ago, the club's current committee felt that sufficient time had passed to reclaim the club's heritage and it is time to put the name Emley AFC back on the footballing map.

"They were successful in Yorkshire non-league football over the years, winning several championships but were perhaps most famous for their run to the third round of the FA Cup in 1998 which saw them playing at West Ham United."

Club chairman Nigel Wakefield commented: "We're immensely proud of the original club's achievements.

"For many those are considered our achievements but, regardless of the history books, they are integral to the current club's heritage."

Mr Wakefield continued: "Our home ground and our reputation were forged by the many people that moved the club up the leagues from 1903 until the move out of the village.

"I can think of no more fitting way to honour all those that have gone before us than reinstating that famous name."

Club members present at an EGM on Saturday unanimously sanctioned the change which will be made in time for season 2019/20.

Alongside the name change comes the launch of a new premium membership scheme, the 1903 Platinum Club for individuals and businesses interested in supporting the club in the next phase of their history.

To enquire about becoming a founder member, contact Tony Worthington on tony@afcemley.co.uk or call 07977 074745.