Relegated 8th tier club request realignment in non league football structure and return to 11th tier

Relegated 8th tier club Brighouse Town request a realignment in the non league football structure and return to the 11th tier.

Town finished the 2025/26 season bottom of the Northern Premier League – East Division with 31 points from 42 games played, 11 points from safety.

But they will now be playing at an ‘amateur level’, according to a statement issued on the 6th of May, with the Football Association due to announce clubs’ league allocations for the 2026/27 season within the next few weeks…

Club Statement | 6th May 2026

𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐅𝐂
𝐇𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦
𝐒𝐭 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝, 𝐇𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞. 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐃𝟔 𝟐𝐏𝐋

Brighouse Town AFC has taken the decision to request a… pic.twitter.com/09lgWMuS9P

— Brighouse Town AFC (@brighousetownfc) May 6, 2026

CLUB STATEMENT:

𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐅𝐂
𝐇𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦
𝐒𝐭 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝, 𝐇𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞. 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐃𝟔 𝟐𝐏𝐋

Brighouse Town AFC has taken the decision to request a realignment in the non-league football structure and return to playing at an amateur level at Step 7 of the Football League Non-league pyramid.

The hope is to be accepted into the West Yorkshire Association Football League. Dialogue has already begun with the management committee of this league and there has been a very positive response and reaction to our plans. We have notified the Northern Premier League and the FA of our decision and await guidance on the formal process to enable this to happen.

This is decision hasn’t been taken lightly but affords the men’s senior team a reset and a chance to re-establish itself and grow once again.

The Club takes great pride in its rise from the former West Riding County Amateur League in 2008 to the Northern Counties League First Division and then gaining promotion to the Northern Counties Premier League in 2010. Promotion to the Northern Premier League – step 4 of the Non-League Football Pyramid was gained in 2014 where it has remained up until this season. We have often said we felt we were batting above our station, but we have had a great ride and some fantastic memories and friendships made.

Spiralling wage, travel, infra-structure and administrative costs along with the loss of key experience at a senior level have caused a strategic re-appraisal and need for re-alignment.

Mark Booth has stepped forward to take the role of Chairperson of the whole club, and he will be ably assisted by Julian Prior as Secretary along with existing members of the Club’s committee. The Junior and Women’s sections are unaffected and continue to grow, and this decision will allow the whole club the chance to move forward as a united entity.

Although this is the end of one era, it is the start of a new one. We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to our supporters, volunteers, and partners for their continued backing. We hope you will remain with us on this journey as we build the next chapter of Brighouse Town AFC and continue to provide a football hub that the town can be proud of.

Brighouse Town AFC Executive Committee.

Fans reacted after the relegated 8th tier club request a realignment in the non league football structure and return to the 11th tier…

@MoMaysari: It’s never an easy decision. The club now needs to look for investment to help carry it forward and protect its future, while continuing the proud history that’s been built over the years. But seeing things drop like this is incredibly difficult. So much hard work, time, and passion have been poured into this club, and the thought of it slipping away is something none of us take lightly. This club means more than just football it represents commitment, community, and everything that’s been built together. That’s why every effort must be made to find the right support and ensure its legacy continues

@StaveleyMWFC: Sad but sometimes a financial reset in many sectors is necessary especially in ⚽️ for whatever reason. Good luck to @brighousetownfc 👍

@PhilLoudon: From an Ashington fan who enjoyed our recent visit I’d like to wish you guys all the very best!

@mattmet79: Sensible decision. Good luck to the club.

@VFTAE: Sounds sensible to ensure the future stability of the club. And highlights the financial challenges at this level.

@graybob54: Gotta say well done, understanding the real world at this or any level of football must be commended and supported by all parties, I am sure there are many teams in a similar position, just not a foresighted. Good luck for future.

@KevinBurns63: All the best for next season. Great club.

@JamieGrand84: Wishing the club all the best in the new era.

@Rob_Ftbll_Coach: Sorry to read this. Look forward to playing against you next season.

@Dudsey4_: Crikey, how saddening. So many enjoyable fixtures taken in over the years and really enjoyable football to watch at a decent level under the likes of Vill and Leon. Really hope you turn things around and bounce back guys. 😞 #sadstuff

David Watts: All the best. Bet it wasn’t an easy call to make. If it means a better chance of firstly surviving and completing a season, then onto rebuilding to get back to step 5+ it’s the right thing to do. You may have been relegated twice to drop to where you wish to begin next season now and wasted time and money doing so.

Pat O’Kane: From a Colls fan. Alas our old foes and recently relegated Brighouse Town AFC has taken the decision to request realignment in the non-league football structure. Let this be a lesson to us all, don’t take your local club for granted, support them at all times. Let’s all hope that they can rebuild and rejoin us again in the NPL someday. Good luck & up the Briggers! ⚽️👏 Ps I’ll even forgive you for over celebrating your play-off win now.

Oldham Groundhopper: Not an easy call but if it means the club doesn’t go into difficulties and potentially folds it becomes an easy call 👏

David Rawling: Fair play to you for seeing this season out, despite having to field teams of younger players. All the best gong forward from a BPA fan.

Gary Marsh: It’s a shame, I have always enjoyed going there with Garforth Town and it’s always seemed to be a well run club with a decent support, travelling costs are substantial in this league as we know, but good luck for the future

Bob Hamilton: What a shame but as is said it’s better to step back to protect the club. Good Luck in whatever your future holds.