When Newsome FC wanted to start a junior section this summer they thought just a few youngsters would turn up.
But more than 130 eager youngsters arrived at the club’s ground on Cross Lane for a taster training session in late May and now the club already has 10 junior teams up and running.
Operating so many junior teams – especially when it’s unexpected – comes at a cost and the club needs more sponsors and volunteers.
Head coach for the junior section Jamie Jobarteh (below) – who has played at the club for years and manages the first team with former Huddersfield Town player Dwayne Mattis – said: “We just couldn’t believe how many youngsters turned up but that’s an incredibly good thing.
“This is a deprived area and it’s great to give them an alternative to hanging around on the streets.
“They absolutely love it – you can tell by the smiles on their faces every training session.
“We are at the heart of our community and that’s what football, especially junior football, is all about. I can’t believe how quickly it’s taken off.’’
The under 4s, 5s and 6s now train on Saturday mornings from 9.30am to 10.30am while the under 7s to under 10s train from 6pm to 7pm on Thursdays followed by the under 11s to under 15s from 7pm to 8pm.
They train at the club’s Cross Lane site – which used to be Primrose Hill Cricket Club – and when autumn sets in will move up to Newsome High School.
Kitting them out, training and playing comes at quite a cost but each player is only charged £25 a month to make it as affordable as possible.
“This barely makes ends meet,’’ said Jamie. “We really could do with more sponsors to ease the financial burden on the club.’’
The club has eight junior coaches but more are needed. Youngsters are joining Newsome FC from all over town from Fartown, Deighton, Dalton, Springwood and Paddock through to Netherton and Holmfirth.
The two adult sides at Newsome have been phenomenally successful over the last 20 or so years winning both the Huddersfield District League and the West Yorkshire League. The sides now play in the West Yorkshire Amateur League and the Huddersfield District Premier Division.
The club hit the headlines last year when Jamie’s close friend, former Premier League striker Cameron Jerome, played a few matches for Newsome FC.
There will be a family fun day at the club on Saturday, August 29, from 1pm until 9pm featuring stalls, a penalty shootout, a kids versus dads football match, a tug-of-war, games, a barbecue and live music.
All the money will go towards future family events at Newsome FC. More raffle prizes are needed and there is room for more stalls.
Contact Newsome FC by email at newsomefc99@gmail.com or via its Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578587794926
Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content, copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies.
