History 2 of 3

2. History 2


Second Side Formed

Continuity for the club was established at the second attempt when Paul set up a second team for the younger Gavins son to play in. Amaranth entered a team in the under 10's Garforth Junior Football League in 1993 joining what were the now well respected under 12's.

Running both teams was impossible for Paul but with the clubs reputation already growing, help was close at hand in the form of a one of the clubs previous Chairmen, Joe Dove. Having recently hung up his playing boots Joe took up the management and coaching reigns of the younger Amaranth side.

This side too enjoyed success. A difficult first season in which the team finished bottom of the league was incredibly transformed into a league championship winning team the following season.

The high standards for future generations of Amaranth football club teams to follow were clearly been established.

Amaranth '93

1993 saw the introduction of another Amaranth junior team and it officially entered the league for the first time as under 10's in the 1994 / 95 season. Following in the footsteps of the first Amaranth side, this team played all the way through junior football before turning to open age in the 2002 / 03 season, again one year ahead of their time. The team, now playing as Amaranth '93, so named after the year of their formation, also boasts several players who have been with the side from the very start.

Under the guidance firstly of club treasurer, Paul Shires and then current team manager, Jimmy Woods, ably assisted by Joe Dove throughout, this team also progressed from difficult beginnings to enjoy league and cup successes.

In its first season as an open age side they were crowned the Leeds Combination League Division Four Champions, being the only side in the whole league to go through the season unbeaten. They also reached two cup finals in that first season unfortunately losing both to goals in the dying minutes to be denied what would have been a unique treble.

Honours
Under 15's (1999 / 00)Harrogate Junior Football League Division 2 Runners Up
Under 16's (2000 / 01)Harrogate Junior Football League Division 1 Runners Up
Under 16's (2000 / 01)Harrogate & District Football League Cup Winners
Amaranth '93 (2002 / 03)Leeds Combination League Division 4 Champions
Amaranth '93 (2002 / 03)Leeds Combination League Mawson Trophy Runners Up
Amaranth '93 (2002 / 03)Leeds & District FA Sunday Trophy Runners Up
Amaranth '93 (2003 / 04)Leeds Combination League Division 2 Champions
Amaranth '93 (2004 / 05)West Riding County Trophy Semi Finalists
Amaranth '93 (2004 / 05)Leeds Combination Cup Winners
Amaranth '93 (2005 / 06)Leeds Combination Division 1 Winners
Amaranth '93 (2006 / 07)First Season in Jubilee Premier League
Amaranth '95

The commitment and loyalty to the club displayed by all its players and managers is typified once again by the story of the next team to be formed in 1995. These were another Amaranth side, under the management of Ian Heselwood, who have stayed the course through the highs and lows of junior football and turned the team into an open age side, entering the Leeds Sunday League for the first time in the 2003/04 season, as Amaranth '95.

The highs and lows for Ian's team could not be more extreme. He took over an under 12's team which could only be described as the leagues 'whipping boys', an unwanted accolade actually featured on local television after losing every game and conceding nearly 200 goals in a season. Just two seasons later the team had amazingly been transformed into a championship winning side which has since competed for trophies on all fronts.

Honours
Under 15's (2000 / 01)Promoted To Harrogate & District Division 1
Under 16's (2001 / 02)Harrogate & District League Cup Runners Up
Under 17's (2002 / 03)Charles Rice League Cup Runners Up
Open Age (2003 / 04)Leeds Sunday League President Cup Winners
Open Age (2003 / 04)Promotion to Division 2 Leeds Sunday League
Open Age (2004 / 05)Promotion to Division 1 Leeds Sunday League

Senior Saturday Side

The 2002 / 03 season marked the introduction of the first side to play Saturday football under the Amaranth name when the former Red Lion team joined the club. Playing in the Leeds Red Triangle League under the management of Stuart Blamire and Joe Dove, they were cup winners and narrowly missed out on league success in their first season playing under the Amaranth badge.

Honours
Open Age Saturday Team (2002 / 03)Briggs Sports Senior Cup