A planned £500,000 football pitch could transform opportunities for women and girls in Knaresborough, a club official has said.
Knaresborough Town AFC is awaiting planning permission for a new 3G facility at its Manse Lane home.
The club said plans are well advanced, with around £140,000 in personal donations already committed to the project.
A grants specialist is confident of securing a further £160,000 to £200,000, while another significant investment could follow if planning permission is granted.
Knaresborough Town expects it will then need to raise between £70,000 and £80,000 itself.
The club has pledged £20,000 from money it currently spends hiring training facilities elsewhere in the area.
Ged Maloney, Head of Development for Women’s Football, said the shortage of pitches across Harrogate and Knaresborough made the project particularly important.
He said:
“That, to me, is the most important thing for the club in terms of development, as far as the eye can see.
“If we have a 3G facility, we can have a pathway from under-six all the way through to open-age football, and the implications that has for female sport in not just Knaresborough, but North Yorkshire, I can't understate it. It’s massive.”
The all-weather facility would provide a permanent home for the club’s teams and create opportunities for wider community use.
The plans come as Knaresborough Town Women begin life in the North Eastern Regional Women’s Football League following four consecutive promotions.
They started their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Evolution Ladies last weekend.
Ellie Butterfield has taken over as head coach from Mike Bligh, who led the club through its four successive promotions.
She previously served as his assistant and is now working alongside a female physiotherapist.
Ged said the appointment formed part of the club’s ambition to develop women as players, coaches and members of staff.
The club’s under-18 women’s team also began its season with a 6-2 victory.
One of its young female players has recently taken up a football scholarship in North Carolina.
Knaresborough Town is continuing to work closely with Knaresborough Celtic, whose teams currently use training facilities elsewhere in the area.
Ged described the relationship between the clubs as “very positive” and said the proposed pitch could create further opportunities for them to work together.
He is now appealing for support from businesses, organisations and individuals across Knaresborough and the wider Harrogate district.
Ged said:
“If there's anyone out there who would be keen to get involved in this particular project, whether it's helping us to raise money or whether they've got the contacts that might help us to generate the money that we need to develop the project, I'd really appreciate it if they would get in touch.”
The club is also looking for girls aged 15 and above, with a small number of places available in its under-18 team.
LISTEN: Your Harrogate's Pete Egerton chats to Ged Maloney of Knaresborough Town:
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