By Dan Bermingham-Shaw
WEST Yorkshire Association Football League side, Shelley Community FC, are celebrating the official opening of their new clubhouse, changing rooms and improved pitches, with Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, snipping the ribbon on the £640,000 project.
Storthes Hall Park, the community sports facility run by Shelley CFC, received £250,000 from the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund, delivered by the Football Foundation, as well as £50,000 from sister organisation, the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF).
The Duchess was joined at the opening by many of the young footballers who can now play and train with Shelley CFC's 26 junior sides, Huddersfield Town Ladies, four of Huddersfield University's football teams and the U7 Academy squad at Manchester City FC, who will all use the site.
The funding, also supported by a £250,000 contribution from The Leslie Sporting Trust, provided for two junior size grass pitches, four mini-soccer grass pitches, four team changing rooms, two officials' changing rooms, a club room and a kitchen.
Shelley CFC chairman Craig Leslie said: “We have one of the best sports facilities in the area.”
