New year kicks off at thriving Halifax Friendly Football Club
The new year looks set to be another successful one for Halifax Friendly Football Club, who have kicked-off 2026 with the return of their popular turn-up-and-play sessions.
Founded in 2021, Halifax Friendly Football Club provides inclusive, welcoming football opportunities for the local community, with a strong focus on increasing participation among women.
The club has grown year on year and now supports multiple women’s teams, a men’s junior team, and their award-winning weekly turn-up-and-play sessions, which resumed last Friday and are open to players of all abilities and backgrounds.
The women’s turn-up-and-play sessions run at Lightcliffe Academy every Friday from 6pm to 7pm. They are friendly, inclusive and focused on enjoyment rather than competition.
There are no trials, no pressure and no commitment; it is just an hour of football, fitness and social connection.
The sessions, which received the West Riding County FA Lioness Award in 2023, welcome complete beginners, returning players and regular footballers alike, many of whom go on to join club teams over time.
The men’s session follows at 7pm to 8pm and is designed for men who want to play football in a respectful, supportive and non-aggressive environment. It is explicitly not Sunday-league style football and prioritises team play, encouragement and enjoyment over competition.
Both sessions are for players aged 16 and over and participation costs £4 per session.
The club has an U18s men’s 11-a-side team as well as three women’s sides playing in the West Riding League, with the Ladies and Lionesses teams playing 11-a-side and the Belles playing nine-a-side football.
A festive women’s football event, held during the Christmas period, was a huge success for the club, bringing together 41 players across seven teams for an evening of friendly football, community spirit and celebration.
The event showcased the supportive culture of the club, with volunteers, referees, goalkeepers and supporters all contributing to a successful night focused on fun, fitness and inclusion.
An annual women’s seven-a-side tournament has also become one of the club’s flagship events.
Last July’s event at Goldfields, Greetland attracted 34 teams from across the north of England, with more than 700 players, supporters and families in attendance.
The tournament combines competitive grassroots football with a strong community focus, featuring local food vendors, independent stalls, family activities and a post-event social.
The event highlights the growth of women’s football in the region and the club’s commitment to community engagement.
Halifax Friendly Football Club is also active off the pitch and last year alone, charity and fund-raising events were organised in support of Calderdale Lighthouse and the Halifax Community Fridge.
For more information on the turn-up-and-play sessions email [email protected] (Instagram: @hffc_turnupandplay, Facebook: Halifax Friendly FC Turn Up & Play).
More information on women’s teams - Ladies team: Instagram: @hffc_ladies, Facebook: Halifax Friendly FC Ladies; Lionesses: Instagram: @hffc_lionesses, Facebook: Halifax Friendly FC Lionesses; Belles: Instagram: @hffcbelles, Facebook: Halifax Friendly FC Belles.
For more information on the U18s men’s team: Instagram: @hffc_turnupandplay - Facebook: Halifax Friendly U18s