Wakefield AFC confirm pre-season matches including home game with Barnsley FC team

After another narrow failure to go up the Falcons will be keen to get preparations right for another tilt at promotion and to avoid the costly disappointing starts they have made to the last two seasons.

They kick-off their pre-season campaign with a trip to South Yorkshire to play fellow NCE side Parkgate on Saturday, July 4 (kick-off 3pm).

Another away game follows with a trip to Northern Premier League side Ossett United on Tuesday, July 7 (7.30pm).

A first home match will see Wakefield take on a Barnsley FC U21 side at the Hunters Stadium, Pontefract on Friday, July 10 (7pm).

They then travel to the coast to play a Scarborough Athletic side four divisions above them on Tuesday, July 14 (7.45pm).

The final warm-up is against Pontefract Collieries with who they share a home. This will take place on Saturday, July 18 (3pm).

Wakefield, meanwhile, have confirmed a number of retentions for the campaign ahead.

Matty Swift, who became a real fan favourite after joining mid-season from Ilkley Town, has signed on for another year.

The 23-year-old has proved a consistent performer who brings calmness and composure to the back line and is equally comfortable at centre-back or right-back.

Owen Thomas joined the club this time last season and will now embark on his second full season. The left sided defender made 42 appearances, with a total 3608 minutes – the second highest of all players – after becoming a key part of Jason Blunt’s line-ups and changing room since he arrived.

He is set to wear the captain’s armband for the new season ahead following the departure of central defender Chris Salt.

Another to commit to the club for the 2026-2027 season is Mo Conteh who joined the club last September from Silsden and has pretty much been an ever present in the starting 11 since.

Starting out as a holding midfielder in his first few games, he played the majority of the season as the left sided centre back, making 36 appearances.

Midfielder Callum Nicell will once again be wearing a Wakey shirt and has proved a key player since arriving. He was badly missed in the closing games of last season when injured.

Former Ossett United forwards Basile Zottos and Ify Ofoegbu have committed for another year.

And supporters can look forward to seeing the long serving Mason Rubie again as he is is back to full fitness after missing the whole of last season with a serious injury.

Centre-back Josh Lockwood, meanwhile, has agreed a return to the club after being part of the Harrogate Railway squad last term.