New To The Pitching In Northern Premier League Division One East For 2026/27: Getting To Know Beverley Town FC

New To The Pitching In Northern Premier League Division One East For 2026/27: Getting To Know Beverley Town FC

As we build towards another exciting season at step four of the non-league pyramid, Grimsby Borough are preparing to face a number of sides either new to or returning to the Northern Premier League Division One East. One such club that falls into the former category is Beverley Town, whose recent rise through the divisions will see them face the Wilderness Boys for the first time on a competitive basis at this level.

Based in the East Riding of Yorkshire, the market town of Beverley’s football team has become a real source of local pride, achieving three promotions over the last five years that sees them now gearing up to play at the highest tier in their long history.

The club, nicknamed the Beavers, was originally founded in 1901; though went through multiple difficulties and changes in its formative years, much of which caused by the commencement of both World Wars (in 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 respectively) and mergers with other local clubs such as Beverley Rangers (1948) and Beverley United (1954).

The first of those amalgamations saw the club move to its Norwood Park ground, known as the Norwood Recreation Ground at the time, the approximately 1,500 capacity stadium they currently call home.

Though the Beavers would leave Norwood in 1970 and lead a somewhat nomadic and intermittent existence over the following three decades, a rejuvenated Beverley Town side would join the Humber Premier League (step seven) in 2000 and ultimately return to their spiritual home shortly after as the club began to motor in an upward trajectory.

Under the stewardship of manager Dave Ricardo, they’d eventually lift the HPL title in both the 2012/13 and 2013/14 campaigns, and while they had a short barren spell thereafter, the return of their aforementioned boss saw them victorious once more in 2020/21.

Unfortunately, on all of these occasions, the Beavers home stadium didn’t have the required grading to allow them promotion to the Northern Counties East League Division One.

That situation was addressed prior to the conclusion of the following season, however, and though Beverley finished in second place behind Hedon Rangers, they’d jump to step six ahead of their competitors as a consequence of those improvements.

Quickly consolidating themselves at the higher level, Ricardo’s men would only spend two season in the NCEL Division One before being promoted once more, this time seeing off Shirebrook Town on penalties in the play-off final to take their place in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Along with taking part in the FA Cup for the first time in over a century, Beverley went from strength-to-strength at step five. Ultimately losing out to Hallam in the play-offs to deny them back-to-back promotions, Beavers’ supporters had the consolation of watching their side lift the NCEL Cup, beating Knaresborough Town 3-2 at Scunthorpe United’s Attis Arena.

Despite a mixed opening to their 2025/26 season, Ricardo’s side won five consecutive matches in September to get themselves going. Regular goals from former Hull City youngsters Macauley Snelgrove and Glen Sani, and timely late winners from winger Luka Šuluburić in tight games pushed Beverley to a second place finish, 14 points behind runaway champions Liversedge.

As runners-up, the Beavers had home advantage in the play-off semi-final, where the aforementioned Snelgrove’s second-half penalty gave them a narrow 1-0 victory over neighbours Barton Town in front of a packed house at Norwood Park.

A similarly bumper crowd was in place once more a week later as Ricardo’s side made history by beating Tadcaster Albion 2-1, with Sani and Šuluburić’s second-half goals proving pivotal in a tensely played out final.

Midfielders Harry Lovick and Samuel Opoku played a key role in the Blues’ triumphant campaign, as did long-serving captain and centre-back James Piercy, along with former Grimsby Town goalkeeper Leigh Overton, a well-known name in local footballing circles.

Beverley are a well supported club, their average home attendance second only to Sheffield FC last season in their respective division, and have real momentum behind them. They will be relishing the opportunity to test themselves in the Northern Premier League Division One East this time around as they celebrate their 125-year anniversary.

The two sides played out an entertaining 3-3 pre-season draw last summer, and we look forward to making the 38-mile trip over the Humber Bridge to Norwood Park in the season ahead, while also welcoming the Beavers to the Technica Home of Grimsby Borough for what we’re sure will be two equally fantastic fixtures.