RIP John Palmer

John passed away peacefully in his sleep earlier this week at the age of 86.

He devoted much of his life to Farsley Celtic, alongside his wife Margaret, after being asked to get involved at Throstle Nest by a friend back in 1972.

In 2010, John, alongside his family and John and Dorothy Farrell, secured the future of football in Farsley after the demise of the original Farsley Celtic club, reaching a deal with Leeds City Council after they had bought back Throstle Nest from the administrators.

The club would go on to return up the divisions and were promoted to National League North as Northern Premier League champions in 2019, during his time as chairman.

Farsley Director Rob Winterbottom told the club's official website: “I will personally never begin to underestimate what John Palmer has done for Farsley Celtic.

“John has been the life of the football club over many, many years and I am personally devastated by his passing.

“John gave a lot of his life to his football club and everyone connected with Farsley Celtic should be eternally thankful for that.

“I would like to send my condolences and that of all at Farsley Celtic to Margaret and all of his family at this time.

“John, to me, you’ll always be an unofficial member of my family. Rest in peace, my dear friend.”

There have been a number of tributes from a wide range of people connected to non-league, highlighting how significant John’s contribution was to the club.