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Bumper crowd set for newly formed club’s historic friendly against EFL side

A bumper crowd is set for one particular newly formed non league club’s historic friendly against a League One side next week.

Wakefield AFC came into existence in 2019, however following the pandemic stop starting their debut seasons, they are hoping of finally completing the upcoming campaign,

In preparation, they have set up a very exciting friendly with Doncaster Rovers, and the capacity has been capped at 4,000 with tickets selling fast.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Following the recent announcement of preseason friendlies, Wakefield AFC is today pleased to unveil an additional preseason fixture with professional club Doncaster Rovers FC that will prepare both First Teams for their respective competitive league action.

This will prove to be a historic day for Wakefield AFC; by welcoming a professional football club to The Millennium Stadium for the first time, the club hopes to have a bumper crowd for the spectacle. Managed by former professional footballer Richie Wellens, the EFL League One side will provide a tough test for Lockwood’s players.

The fixture will take place at The Millennium Stadium on Tuesday 20th July, kicking off at 7.30pm. Under current COVID-19 restrictions, our attendance is capped at 4000 spectators.

Ticket Prices:
Adults – £10
Concessions* – £8
Juniors (U16) – £5

*60+, Students with valid ID and Blue Light Card Holders.

Tickets can be purchased in advance here: Buy Tickets
2021-22 Pre-Season Calendar

Tuesday 6th July – Rossington Main FC (A) 3-0
Saturday 10th July – Hallam FC (H) 2-3
Tuesday 20th July – Doncaster Rovers FC (H)
Saturday 24th July – Eccleshill Utd (H)
Wednesday 28th July – Sutton Rovers (A)
Saturday 31st July – Skegness Town (A)
Saturday 7th August – Beeston St Anthony’s FC (H)
Wednesday 11th August – Altofts (A)
Saturday 21st August – Carlton Athletic (H) (Dorothy Hyman Stadium)

We are all looking forward to welcoming fans to The Millennium Stadium. We want everyone to enjoy their day alongside adhering to the guidelines set by the club. We ask that you familiarise yourself with our Club COVID-19 Policy and Risk Assessment, which can be found here: Policies

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Bumper crowd set for newly formed club’s historic friendly against League One side

MORE ON WAKEFIELD AFC

Five months ago, they launched their new club crest and revealed an ambitious plan to become the city’s first ever EFL side.

They are currently playing in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior Football League at Step 7 (Level 11) of the English football pyramid.

A group of businessmen founded the club a few years back and since then they have seen their club fail to complete any of their last two seasons due to the coronavirus.

The team has been made up by youngsters that just missed out making it at professional outfits and they will be led by former Manchester United, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Turner, who has also managed Leyton Orient, Hartlepool United, Sheffield Wednesday and Stockport County.

Chris said back then, as quoted by Wakefield Express: “We’re ambitious and we’ve got some incredibly talented young players who have given sides way above them a real run for their money during pre-season.

“The long-term goal is to become the city’s first ever football league side and proudly fly the flag for the whole of Wakefield.

“The club will initially play their first games at the Dorothy Hyman Stadium just over the Wakefield border at Cudworth, but the aim is for the club to move into the redeveloped Belle Vue site and share the pitch with Super League’s Wakefield Trinity.”

They ended the 2019/20 season in 9th place out of 16 teams, gaining 28 points from 22 games played before the season was stopped.

Wakefield club play their games at Post Office Road, home of rugby league team Featherstone Rovers and previously played in Barnsley but wanted to move to a stadium within the WF postcode area.

For the 2020/21 campaign, they are currently sat in 6th place out of 15 teams, taking 12 points from 6 games played, again before the season halted.

In that division, the top eligible club can be promoted on application provided they finish no lower than 5th.

The club have had a change up following advice from their fanbase and it’s fair to say their new much fresher crest gives them that more professional look that they are going for.

In July 2021, they were delighted to announce that VO2 Capital completed its investment into the team.

Wakefield AFC wrote: Earlier this year the club announced it had ‘secured a large investment‘ and can now confirm that this has been finalised.

VO2 Capital, a Connecticut-based family office, is announcing an investment in Wakefield AFC. The transaction offers V02 Capital the option to acquire a majority stake at a future date. The new investment will allow Wakefield AFC to continue expanding it’s football operations, education programs, Youth Academy, and women’s teams. The investment amount was not disclosed.

As part of the deal, VO2 Capital will also sponsor a new Football Performance Department that will work both on performance on the field and analytics for scouting and recruiting.

Guilherme Decca, a Brazilian-American founder and CEO of VO2 capital, will be part of Wakefield AFC’s board of Directors with executives Chris Turner and Mike Hegarty.

According to Decca: “it is a dream come true to get involved with football in the UK. Being born in Brazil, football is part of my DNA, and I’ve been following English football since the exploits of Gazza and co in Italia 90. Platt’s goal against Belgium is still one of the most exciting moments I’ve experienced in football. In Wakefield, we found not only a big city without a club in the Football League but also a fantastic group of people working for the club, strong volunteer support, and no legacy issues that one would encounter in so many clubs in divisions above ours.”

Regarding the club’s goals, he says: “We want to build a serious and ambitious football operation while still maintaining community and fan participation. We recognise there’s a long way to go until we get to the level we want to be. However, we believe that a well-run club with community shareholders, partnerships with local businesses, no leverage/debt, and investment in data and performance analysis can grow fast and, more importantly, in a self-sustainable way.”

Mike Hegarty, the association owner, commented on the investment: “We have a very special project here. Wakefield is a city of over 335,000 people and is by far the biggest city in the UK not to have a professional football club. We started the long journey of solving this matter a couple of years ago and have made great progress. The involvement of VO2 Capital and their financial support has been fantastic for the Club and the City so far. However, it is their enthusiasm for the project that is the most compelling factor for us. We are firmly of the belief that the development of Wakefield AFC will soon reach all parts of the football world.”

Fans reacted with a bumper crowd set for the newly formed club’s historic friendly against League One side Doncaster Rovers…

@Kanespot7: We are massive!!!

@gardiner1985: Can’t wait for this one, a great day for the Wakefield AFC

@jack_roberts_44″ Just booked tickets for my first @drfc_official game since December 2019, away at @Wakefield_AFC. Absolutely cannot wait to see some proper football again. YOU REDS ❤️🤍

Si Boyle: Will be there. We might be outnumbered by away fans again lol

John Humphries: All the best boys ⚜🔴⚪🔵⚜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧⚽️

Ryan Scott Hamilton: Wakefield AFC Astounding effort. I love how this new born club is being run! 👏 👏 I’ll definitely be there for THAT!

Eoghan Lamont: David Edward Corfield toughest opponent’s were likely to face this year

Jed Wilkinson: Big test for the lads

Adrian Starowicz: what a game ⚽️⚽️

Brad Swain: Buzzing for this⚽️

Shakey Wakey Memes: Phwoar absolute scenes!!! Everyones got to get to this ⚽️ 🔴⚪🔵

Adam Sweeney: Some game that… 😍

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