Handsworth Parramore FC were formed at the start of the 2014/2015 season after the merger of two highly successful clubs, Handsworth FC of the S&H County Senior League Premier Division and Worksop Parramore of the NCEL Prem...
Handsworth Parramore FC were formed at the start of the 2014/2015 season after the merger of two highly successful clubs, Handsworth FC of the S&H County Senior League Premier Division and Worksop Parramore of the NCEL Premier Division. The NCEL and the FA allowed the new club to take over the position of Worksop Parramore, who had just finished in 4th place in the Premier Division, whilst the S&H CFA allowed their reigning Champions to continue under the name of Handsworth Parramore Reserves.
The new club could not have begun life better as in their first game, under Manager Russ Eagle, they crushed Glasshoughton Welfare 6-0 and followed this up with a 5-1 victory over Oadby Town in their first ever FA Cup tie. After leading the table for a number of weeks, a downturn in fortunes led to a change at the top and the installation of the ex Belper Town management team of Peter Duffield and Mick Godber. The duo rebuilt the squad who ended their inaugural season in 7th place and with the clubs first piece of silverware, the NCEL League Cup, secured after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Cleethorpes Town.
Our second season started in positive fashion but halfway through the campaign, the difficult decision was made to relieve Duffield of his duties, with Mick Godber stepping up as Caretaker Manager. However, such was the impact that Godber made, including an unbeaten run of 17 games that propelled The Ambers to the top of the table, the decision to make the role permanent was taken. The Ambers eventually fell just short in their quest for the title, finishing a comfortable second behind Champions Tadcaster Albion.
The following season, and despite a best ever run in the FA Cup, halted only at the 3rd Qualifying Round stage, inconsistent league form resulted in Godber stepping down as Manager in April, with striker Jon Froggatt being put in temporary charge until the end of the season, and a creditable 4th placed finish was achieved.
In April 2017, the Club announced that former player James ‘Jas’ Colliver was to return to take over as the new Manager, and with another rebuilt squad, another 4th placed finish was secured in his first season in charge, with promotion missed by just one place for the second time, alongside a run to the Semi-Finals of the League Cup.
Unfortunately, the 2018-19 season was really one to forget with The Ambers finishing in their lowest ever position of 8th and with poor showings in the Cup competitions. Colliver departed the club in the Autumn and, despite their best efforts, the interim management team of Steve Istead and Jon Froggatt were unable to lift the general malaise that had set in around the club.
At the end of the campaign, the decision was made for the club to continue on a much-reduced budget and to return to Olivers Mount. Russ Eagle was invited back to the club as Manager alongside Aiden Spowage, and to strengthen ties with the Junior Sporting Club, the new Management Board sought and gained approval from the NCEL to change the clubs name to Handsworth FC.
The 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 campaigns saw the club suffer some highs and lows, as was to be expected with such a young and changing squad. After a hit and miss start to the 2021-2022 season, The Ambers parted company with Eagle in October and Aidan Spowage and Jason Dodsworth were named as joint managers with Louis Axcell strengthening the management team later. An excellent run to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup underpinned a highly respectable 8th placed finish but despite the efforts of everyone involved, we were unable to build on this and a disappointing 2022-2023 campaign saw The Ambers finish in 16th place, their lowest ever position, leading to the inevitable departure of the management team.
Ahead of the 2023-2024 season, Ambers legend Jon Froggatt was handed the reins alongside Mark Ward and together, we look forward to a more positive outcome ahead.