Juniors playing for Harrogate Railway football club will play all of their matches at Harrogate High School’s playing fields.
The club previously had juniors playing at its Station View ground in Starbeck, as well as other playing fields across Harrogate.
However, they said this “diluted” the feeling of Railway being a local club so they wanted a permanent base for children to play.
A Harrogate Railway spokesperson said:
“By consolidating teams into one location we will be able to further build on the youth development roles, which have been so successful. It will also help us increase the support we offer coaches, managers and team admins.”
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The club recently announced that they will offer one year of free football training to under 5s and under 6s, to try and spur on the next generation of footballers in Harrogate.
They are also looking for businesses to sponsor the playing fields and a storage facility for goals and equipment.
Richard Foster, youth development officer at Harrogate Railway, told the Stray Ferret that there’s been “no better time” to be involved in youth football in the town, thanks to the recent promotions of Harrogate Town and Leeds United.
Richard said the club wants to offer a clear pathway from grassroots through to the first team to give their young players something to aspire to. The club will also offer financial support to adults looking to get their UEFA coaching licences.
He said:
“This past six or seven months have been hard for the entire community and as a club we are here to support and serve them. The club has been here 85 years and is still going strong.”
