Ex-England footballer fined for speeding in HarrogateNew women’s beginner football league could be created in the Harrogate district

A women’s beginner football league could be set up in the Harrogate district this season if enough teams are put forward to take part.

The West Riding County Football Association (FA) is looking to create a league based at Rossett Sports Centre, with the aim of six teams participating.

They will be formed from existing grassroots clubs in the area, including Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club.

There is currently only one grassroots women’s team in the district – Darley’s Angels. The team was born out of a group of mums who watched their daughters play and train each week for Scotton Scorchers.

Mike Collier, women and girls football lead at Scotton Scorchers Junior Football Club, said:

“There were a lot of mums on the touchline who said they had never had a chance to play. So we asked them if they would be interested in creating a beginners’ team and we had an amazing response.

“The pitch at Darley had availability, so we started training there and got good numbers.

“The ladies came up with the name and the team was born. It is still linked in with Scotton Scorchers and is part of the community.

“There is always a lot of fun and laughter going on and they have great fun playing.”

Darley’s Angels started playing in March 2021 so have just completed their first season. Earlier this year they won a competition to train with the England Lionesses.

Darley’s Angels trained with the Lionesses.

The West Riding FA currently has a women’s beginner league, which Darley’s Angels is part of, however the clubs are all based in West Yorkshire.

It wants to develop the league by splitting it into two divisions; beginners and developers.

It also wants to create a second beginner’s league in the Harrogate district to provide teams in the area with an opportunity to play regular matches.

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Mr Collier, who has been involved with women’s football since 2003, said he hoped the positive experience of the Lionesses Euro 2022 win would inspire more women to get involved.

He said:

“If we can get six teams to come forward we can play every third week.

“We definitely welcome this proposal. So far David Terzza at Killinghall Nomads has said he will put a team forward and Pannal Ash has expressed an interest.

“Hopefully we will get there and it might be that once some come forward, others will follow suite.”

David Terzza, Killinghall Nomads girls’ football manager, who was a coach when Rachel Daly played at the club, said:

“There is very limited grassroots football for women in the district at the moment. Only Darley’s Angels exists currently in Harrogate district. However, I’m creating a Killinghall Nomads ladies team, with me starting as the coach.

“Hopefully other clubs in the district will also respond.”

Any women interested in playing for the new Killinghall Nomads ladies team should contact Mr Terzza on 078082 460221 or email david.terzza@btinternet.com

Boroughbridge Junior FC seeks new players

Boroughbridge Junior Football Club is holding its annual taster day later this month to encourage more youngster to join the team. 

The “try before you join” session will be held  at Boroughbridge High School on Saturday July 23, starting at 10am and running to 12pm.

Players will be able to take part in supervised games with FA-qualified coaches able to answer any questions and take subscriptions.

Nigel Charlesworth, Boroughbridge Junior FC club secretary, said:

“The club motto is football for all, so we encourage players of all abilities to come along.  

“If your son or daughter already plays for the club then come down and register for the new season and let them play supervised games. New players are also welcome. So, come down, try us out, meet the coaches and make new friends through football. Use this as a taster session. If you like what you see, then join us for the new season.”

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The taster session will run teams for the following age groups (child’s age on 1 September). Boys: Under 8s, U10s, U12s, U14s and U15s, girls: Under 6-11 (development squad) U12, U13 and U15 years and Pan Disability Football for boys and girls aged seven to 18.

There will also be a training session for budding goalkeepers on the day. 

The club also said volunteers and helpers were always welcome.

For more information, visit the Boroughbridge Juniors FC website, email nigelcharlesworth@btinternet.com or contact the club on Facebook and Twitter.  

Local Lioness leads by example in the Women’s EUROs

 

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly is currently playing football to record crowds in the 2022 EUROs.  It’s a far cry from the early days of empty stadiums for the women’s game.

Last night the Lionesses won their first game of the tournament with a 1-0 victory to Austria at Old Trafford, with a sell-out crowd of 68,871 fans. Daly played brilliantly.

Back home, Rachel’s success is having a big impact on young players who hope to follow in her footsteps

Rachel Daly

Born in Harrogate in 1991, Rachel quickly rose through the footballing ranks with the support of family, friends and coaches. Daly was a pupil at Rossett High School.

She has become a serious role model for younger players. Something she acknowledged last night on BBC Look North:

“I just think about all the young girls now in the crowd, looking up to us and seeing what they could be a part of when they are older and hopefully it inspires the whole nation to switch their focus to women’s football.”

Baroness Sue Campbell is the FA’s director for women’s football. The Baroness is full of praise for Daly’s perseverance.

The Stray Ferret asked her if she thought the Euros will encourage more young women and girls to consider a career as a professional footballer.

Baroness Campbell said:

‘I am optimistic that this Euro tournament will have an impact on girl’s and women’s football across the whole of England.

Our ambition is to give girls an equal opportunity to play in schools and clubs across the country and this tournament will help to raise the profile of women as players, coaches and referees and inspire a generation of girls to play football.’

When asked about her thoughts on Daly, Campbell said:

‘Rachel Daly is a versatile and talented footballer. She can play equally well in attack or defence and gives 100% in every game she plays. She is hard working, fit and tenacious.

Off the pitch she is always full of energy and good humour – a delight to have in the team’

In Harrogate, Daly’s former local club, the Killinghall Nomads, sent her a video message of encouragement.

 

https://twitter.com/WestRidingFA/status/1538852522391134209?s=20&t=-sv5MsVyTq5drv-iG4IrqQ

The Stray Ferret would like to thank Angus for writing this article. Angus has joined us for a week on work experience from St Aidan’s School in Harrogate. 

Premier League appoints Harrogate solicitor as chair

The Premier League has appointed a Harrogate-based solicitor as its interim chair for the second time.

Peter McCormick OBE will step into the role on February 1 when the current chair Gary Hoffman steps down.

Premier League clubs unanimously approved his temporary appointment. The clubs will now look for a permanent replacement.

The new role comes for Mr McCormick shortly after he stepped down as the temporary chair of the Football Association. He was succeeded Debbie Hewitt MBE.

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Mr McCormick will remain as chair of the Premier League’s Football Board and Legal Advisory Groups. He previously acted as the chair for the Premier League from 2014 to 2015. He said:

“I am delighted to receive the confidence and approval of the 20 Premier League clubs and the Board as they work to recruit the new chair.”

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said:

“On behalf of the Premier League and clubs, I would like to welcome Peter to this role. He is well known to us all and a trusted pair of hands who will see us through this transition period.

“The board’s aim is to have a new permanent chair in place before the start of next season.”

A Leeds United fan, Mr McCormick is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment lawyers.

Changes at top of Harrogate law firm after FA appointment

Harrogate law firm McCormicks has named a new managing partner after its founder took on the role of chairman at the Football Association.

Stephen Hopwood, a specialist in family law, has succeeded Peter McCormick, who will remain as a senior partner.

The FA named Peter McCormick as its interim chairman after Greg Clarke, who described black players as “coloured”, stepped down from the role.

McCormicks, which is based on East Parade, describes itself as a ‘fearless law firm with a fearless reputation’.

Peter McCormick

Mr McCormick said:

“As a result of both the covid lockdown and of my increased commitments since I was appointed interim chairman of the FA in November, Stephen has taken a lot of responsibility for the day-to-day management of the business so this is a logical transition of duties for the future.

“I remain senior partner and will continue to play a very active role in the business of the firm, alongside my commitments to the Premier League and the FA.”

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Mr Hopwood, who joined the practice in 2013, said:

“I am delighted to be expanding my role with the practice and look forward to working even more closely with the great team we have here to ensure we continue to offer the best possible service to our clients.”

Harrogate solicitor succeeds Greg Clarke as chair of Football Association

Peter McCormick, a senior partner of Harrogate law firm McCormicks Solicitors, has been appointed interim chairman of the Football Association.

The news was announced yesterday following the sudden resignation of Greg Clarke for describing black players as “coloured” and other comments he made about gay and female players.

The Football Association, which was formed in 1863, is the governing body of football in England and Wales.

A Leeds United fan, Mr McCormick is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment lawyers.

He is now the first person to have been chairman of both the Premier League and the FA.

McCormicks Solicitors, which is based on East Parade, describes itself as a ‘fearless law firm with a fearless reputation’.

Mr McCormick, who was awarded an OBE for services to charity in 2000, was elected vice-chairman of the FA in 2017.

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An FA statement yesterday said:

“Peter McCormick will step into the role as interim FA chairman with immediate effect and the FA board will begin the process of identifying and appointing a new chair in due course.

“We would also like to reaffirm that as an organisation, we are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to promote diversity, address inequality, and tackle all forms of discrimination in the game.”

Clarke said in a statement:

“I am deeply saddened that I have offended those diverse communities in football that I and others worked so hard to include.