Akinfenwa becomes shareholder in non-league club

Former professional footballer Adebayo Akinfenwa has become a shareholder of phoenix club FC Farsley.

Akinfenwa, a cult figure among football fans due to his larger-than-life-frame and personality, is a former teammate of FC Farsley owner and manager David Stockdale, who completed a takeover of the Leeds club - then known as Farsley Celtic - in December last year.

New-look FC Farsley will play in the Supreme Division, in English football's 12th tier, next season.

Akinfenwa, whose previous clubs include Wycombe, AFC Wimbledon and Northampton, said: "This isn't just about football - it's about building a club that genuinely serves its community and creates opportunities for people."

The former striker, who played with Stockdale at Wycombe, added: "I'm looking forward to helping wherever I can, meeting the supporters and being part of what I believe is going to be a really exciting future for FC Farsley."

Farsley Celtic competed in the National League North during the 2024/25 campaign, but have not played a competitive fixture since and did not enter a league for the 2025/26 season.

Stockdale, who now runs the club with his wife Katie, said: "When we spoke about what we're building at FC Farsley, he immediately understood what we were trying to achieve.

"The fact that he's chosen to become a shareholder says everything about the belief he has in the project."

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