Delighted Clifton up to major standard

Jan 1 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ONE of the RCD Junior League’s longest-serving clubs have been presented with their Charter Standard Award.

The award was made at half-time during the Town versus Northampton game by RCD League president and West Riding County FA youth development chairman Laurie Platt.

The FA Charter Standard sets minimum levels expected within football clubs – and all must go through a rigorous programme of coaching, administration and child protection to achieve the award.

The RCD League was recognised as a Charter Standard league by the FA’s director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, when it was announced that all full member clubs had achieved Charter Standard.

Clifton chairman Nigel Richardson said: “We were founded in 1981 and have been in the league ever since, which is some achievement.

“Like most clubs that start out, it’s usually mums and dads who take the plunge into running some teams and expanding from there on, and Clifton is no different with the likes of Dave Kerridge, Ken Elkin, Terry Gill (who was always known as Mr Clifton) and the late Barry O’Loughlin.

“The club grew and started to produce great age-group teams, indeed the Dominic O’Loughlin Anniversary Tournament will be in its 13th year in August and is a vastly supported event with well over 800 players from teams inside and outside the league.”

Margaret Allen (club secretary) and Mike Cresey (treasurer) remain with the club, who have 13 teams from Under Eight to Under 16 and ‘Kickstart,’ which is thriving bringing through youngsters aged six and seven (under Michael Needham and Neil Johnson).

Richardson added: “The Charter Standard Award is richly deserved.

“We put a lot back into the community for their continued support and commitment and we hope to flourish for many years to come.”