A Harrogate district football team has opened a cafe named after its former player — superstar Rachel Daly.
Nomads Daly Brew Cafe is situated at Killinghall Moor Community Park, which is the home of Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club. A mural of Rachel playing for England is on the wall.
Rachel, who was part of England Lionesses’ success at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 last year, started her career at Killinghall Nomads and still has strong connections with the club.
Her mother, Louise, lives nearby and Rachel did a zoom call with girls during lockdown and has paid for kit.
Mary Beggs-Reid, social media officer for the club, said the club was trying to arrange for Rachel to attend an official opening in the next few weeks, and there was the possibility of England men’s manager Gareth Southgate also attending.
Mary said Rachel was thrilled when the club asked if she would be happy for the cafe to be named in her honour, adding:
“She’s absolutely over the moon about it. Some people get streets named after them but nothing had been done for Rachel.”
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Mary said the club committee got permission from Harrogate Borough Council to build the cafe at its clubhouse, which already had a kitchen. It cost £50,000 which was paid for by club funds and a grant from sports charity the Football Foundation.
The cafe is currently open on Saturday and Sunday mornings and most mornings during the week, but the times are a bit ad-hoc until the cafe officially opens.
Killinghall Moor is popular with dog walkers who can call in for refreshment. There is free WiFi and snacks such as bacon sandwiches as well as drinks. Mary said:
“It’s for the club and the community. Everyone is welcome.”
A Facebook group here has further details.
After winning Euro 22, Rachel moved from Houston Dash to Aston Villa Women, who are fifth in the Women’s Super League. She is the league’s second highest scorer with 10 goals.
Killinghall Nomads, which was formed in 1987, offers football coaching and competition from under-6 to under-16, including dedicated girls’ age groups from under-7 to under-16, as well as a pan-disability section.
