History
Formed in 1966, Pannal Sports Football Club is the oldest, continually active junior football club in the Harrogate area and has almost completed 40 years of commitment to providing sport for boys and girls of all ages. From small beginnings, the club has grown to the point where there are now ten junior teams, from under eights to under seventeens, and three senior teams playing regularly in local competition. Next season, approximately 250 junior players and 60 senior players will be registered with the club. In recent years, the pressure on the junior pitch at Crimple Meadows has become excessive. This has forced club officials to find temporary grounds, playing on occasions at Ashville College and Queen Ethelburgers, the latter having become slightly more permanent in the last couple of seasons. Assistance was received from the local company, Dunlopillo, who have not only sponsored some of the teams kits, but had allowed their sports facilities to be used by two of the junior sides. This facility was recently withdrawn when new management were appointed at the company. Each weekend the club find its junior teams spread over the Harrogate area to meet their home game commitments. It has also become difficult to find suitable junior training areas, with up to 180 to 220 players in action at weekends. The club seeks to achieve the highest standards possible with the junior players available, but does not employ a policy of recruiting and assembling teams to ensure results. While it has not been without its trophy successes, the junior club has always taken the view that it should provide ‘Football for kids, not ego trips for managers or the club’. Satisfaction is derived from achieving improved standards in those who might not otherwise even have the opportunity to play, and although not without ambition, the club officials and managers would not place the pursuit of trophies above the welfare of their players. This junior club policy has been rewarded by a high level loyalty from the players, some of whom would not have been welcomed by more aggressively ambitious clubs. Nearly half of the senior teams' players have progressed through the junior teams. The loyalty shown by the players is reflected by the many families who support the club. Continuity and stability have been provided by families and individuals, some with over 20 years’ service to the club. This augurs well for the future. The senior club has a more ambitious approach to its football. Since its formation in 1988 by the graduation of the juniors to become an under 18 side in the Harrogate and District League, the first team has progressed from the 5th to the Premier Division of the league as well as winning several cup competitions, including the prestigious Harrogate FA Hulme Cup in 1997. The second team, formed for the 1993/4 season, has progressed from the 4th to the 1st Division. The club now wishes to acquire, hopefully over the next two or three years, its own permanent sports facility, preferably close to its Pannal home. This will need to comprise of a minimum of three full size football pitches, two junior pitches, modern changing facilities and in due course, a clubhouse. The club would seek lottery money via the sports council and other grants, from funds such as the Football Trust. The club’s share of the cost would be raised through fund raising, together with support from our sponsors and benefactors.
