Yorkshire Amateur AFC was founded in November 1918 by Kolin Robertson, but only began playing matches in 1919. In those early days, the club’s fixtures largely consisted of playing friendlies at Elland Road following the demise of Leeds City FC, on the order of the Football Association, after irregularities were discovered in their accounts.

However, in 1920, the club decided that the ground was not suitable for their needs and sold the lease to the newly formed Leeds united AFC for the sum of £250.

The aim of the Ammers in those days was to compete as a major force against the professional teams in the North of England. This proved not to be viable and in 1920 the club became of the founder members of the Yorkshire League. In 1922, the club became the first British team to tour in Latvia and Estonia. The club produced a number of leading amateur international players such as Joe Woodcock who, at left-back, was the first Bradford born amateur international.

The ‘Ammers’, as they were known, moved to their present headquarters at Bracken Edge in 1922 afrer using several other gorunds, including sharing with Harrogate Town. This period was by far their most successful for the club and a record crowd of 3569 paid receipts of £160 to see the 5-2 Amateur Cup Quarter Final replay over Wimbledon. This was after a 2-2 draw at Wimbledon before a crowd of 12,000. The Ammers had demolished the holders, Wycombe Wanderers, 4-0 in the previous round and the club’s sights were now set on a Wembley appearance. Unfortunately, Marine FC had not read the script and triumphed 2-1 in the semi-final relay played at Leicester City’s ground.

Such was the strength of the side in the 1931-32 season that George Hudson, the Amateur international and Captain of that season’s Football Association Representative XI, could not make the Ammers side and left the club in mid-season to join Farsley Celtic in the hope of gaining a first team place. The same season saw the club finish as runners-up to Huddersfield Town in the Yorkshire League after losing 2-1 in a play-off. The club also reached the first round of the FA Cup, losng 3-1 at home to Carlisle United after defeating Denaby United, Altrincham and Frickley on the way.

The 2007-08 period saw John Ward taking over the academy and bringing a whole host of exciting young players with him to add to the players already at the Academy. Several Yorkshire Amateur Junior players also made the step up to the Academy. The Academy had a very good season, finishing third place in the league and having a good run in the FA Youth Cup.

The 09-10 season saw further changes made with the reserves entering the Lancashire League which will be a better standard of football than the league they were previously in, which will hopefully better prepare players for the demands of the NCEL.

In 2007, the clubhouse was redecorated as well as the addition of a separate changing room for female officials and a new dance floor was installed.

Ammers were forcibly relegated from the NPL East at the end of the 21/22 season due to ground grading issues, despite a 10th placed finish.

Subsequently, the club was taken over in the summer of 2022, bringing an end to Nathan Cartman’s reign as manager. An entirely new playing squad was assembled, consisting mainly of academy players, within three weeks of the start of the 22/23 season.

Yorkshire Amateur appointed their current manager Casey O’Reilly towards the end of the 22/23 season with an, albeit too late, upturn in form before Ammers’ relegation. Andy Blair has joined the coaching staff this season as O’Reilly’s assistant, working alongside Emeel Mati as first-team coach.