Harrogate Borough Council

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12 JULY 2007:  THE footballing Charlton brothers are world famous but not many people know that they honed their footballing skills by kicking balls against the coalhouse doors in the back alleys of Ashington.

 

Harrogate Borough Council's sports development team are inviting youngsters to hone their own footballing skills in this summer's "Street football" not on the streets but at football pitches at Harrogate Hydro, Granby Sport and Play Development Centre, Knaresborough Community Centre, Woodlands Field and Woodfield Primary School

 

Running throughout the school holidays, with financial support from the Harrogate and District Safer Communities Partnership, the council hopes young people aged between 8 and 14 years old will take advantage of this pilot in this year's school summer holiday programme.

 

Sir Bobby who is now President of the National Football Museum in Preston, and his brother Jackie would no doubt have loved this opportunity when they was starting out, says Councillor Pat Jones, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services.  "They had to make do with coats for goalposts and their chance for a game only came if the next village would take part. 

 

"We are providing young people with the chance to have some informal football coaching as well as taking part in a series of matches.  We also want to make sure that they can have  fun during the school holidays without causing a nuisance to neighbours.  The Charlton's neighbours wouldn't have complained because there would have been nowhere else for the children to play. That isn't the case in 2007 and we hope that parents will support this pilot scheme as if it is successful we will look to include it each year."

 

No pre-booking is necessary.  Costs for each five-hour session (running between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm) is £3 and they will run at Jennyfield Community Centre on 30 July, 6 and 13 August.  Fairfax Community Centre on 31 July, 7 and 14 August.  Granby Sport and Play Development Centre on 1, 8 and 15 August. Knaresborough Community Centre on 2, 9 and 15 August.  Woodfield Primary School on 3, 10 and 17 August.