Blue plaque for grassroots pitch graced by stars

Members of Leeds Civic Trust were joined by ex-professional players Paul Reaney, Stuart McCall and Noel Whelan

A blue plaque has been unveiled at a grassroots football pitch in Leeds which has been graced by aspiring football stars before they went professional.

Generations of youngsters from the city have played at the TV Harrison Sports Ground, locally known as the Wortley Wembley, including several players who were later snapped up by big clubs.

Those have included Paul Reaney, Brian Deane and Kalvin Phillips, who all went on to star for Leeds United.

Francis Milner, Leeds United Foundation chief executive, said: "We had some brilliant talent come through from this site. They started coming out having a bit of a kick around and they were just kids from Leeds who did progress through."

According to Leeds Civic Trust, organised sport has been played at the location since the 1850s.

The ground is named after teacher Tom Vernon Harrison, who led a fundraising campaign in 1928 for it to be purchased for the benefit of children in the city.

In 2022, campaigners managed to secure the pitch as an "asset of community value" to help prevent it making way for a housing development.

Earlier this year, the Premier League side took over the running of the site to secure its future.

Ms Milner said there had been many challenges over the years with the usage of the site.

She said: "There has been an incredible community association who have really fought the battle to keep the site for the children of the local area.

"They've succeeded and we're now going to take that legacy forward, and Tom Vernon Harrison's legacy."

"We're celebrating Tom, but also where we're going to take the site for the future.

"We have very exciting plans with the community about how we want to keep it as a community football provision for local children."

Reaney and fellow ex-professional players Stuart McCall and Noel Whelan, who also played at the ground, were among those present for the plaque unveiling on Saturday.

The plaque was placed during a ceremony attended by CEO of the Leeds United Foundation Frances Milner and MP for Leeds South West and Morley, Mark Sewards

Michael Meadowcroft, chair of the TV Harrison Sports Ground Association, said: "The blue plaque not only pays tribute to Tom Vernon Harrison and the history of the ground but also demonstrates the power of united community action.

"Our association now looks forward to working with Leeds United in making the ground a vibrant successful sports facility for local children and youths."

A Leeds United spokesperson confirmed plans were under way for an all-weather pitch and a new community building at the ground.

Ms Milner added: "Our vision in Leeds is for every child to have access to be able to play football.

"We simply don't have enough provision and this site is going to be one new provision to support children.

"We want children to have access to sport because it brings brilliant things: teamwork, confidence and getting out in the fresh air and their local communities."

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