Holmfirth clubs seek ground aid
Two Holmfirth sports clubs, Holmfirth Town and Underbank Rangers, are desperately seeking enhanced facilities.
With their respective successes seeing their senior teams elevated to levels where their existing facilities football club Town and rugby league outfit Rangers are failing to meet league minimum standards.
The two clubs, who both run extensive junior sections in addition to the open age rugby teams, have joined forces to try to find a suitable location which can be developed to meet the necessary standards and protect their ability to provide a top quality pathway for the people of Holmfirth to be active and achieve success in their own village.
A joint statement from the clubs said: “The clubs aspire to provide a single site solution, which would allow both the adult and junior sections to operate from the same site.
“However, space constraints may ‘ mean that a joint first team site, with nearby but offsite junior provision is more practical.”
Officials from the two clubs have explored the potential of a number of sites in the area and although a site with shared facilities but separate a rugby and football pitch would be preferable, in order to meet the necessary standards.
The clubs as a minimum require a site which can accommodate at least one playing field of 122m x 74m and also a clubhouse with changing facilities changing adjacent to pitch, ideally with accompanying off road parking.
Longer term aspirations for the development of a 3G artificial pitch, which would allow for much greater levels of use and benefit the whole community, are also being investigated alongside Holmfirth High School.
Representatives from both clubs are keen to hear from developers, landowners and members of the public who may be able to help or support them in their search for suitable facilities, and they can be contacted at 07811 685343 (Richard) or 07989 656278 (Dave).
By Mel Booth