Huddersfield YMCA will hold Under 18 and 19 trials after being accepted by the Northern Alliance.
It’s an exciting and bold step for the Laund Hill club, and part of a long-term plan to establish semi-professional football at the impressive complex which will host national league rugby union this season.
YMCA, who have a flourishing junior football set-up, already run a senior team in the West Riding County Amateur League.
The eventual target is promotion to the Northern Counties East League, which in turn feeds into the Northern Premier.
Entering the Northern Alliance is aimed at bridging the gap between junior and senior football and providing a pathway for ambitious players.
“In the past, we have lost quite a few older-end players to other teams in the area,” explained YMCA football chairman Chris Dean.
“Our aim is to keep players of all levels at Laund Hill and to bring in others, which is why we’re having the trials.”
They take place on Wednesday, July 9, with a 6.00 for 6.30 start, and those who want to attend should e-mail tdunne@ecoblastsupplies.co.uk and state name, age and position.
The new Northern Alliance team will play under floodlights on the first-team rugby pitch.
“The matches are midweek, hence the need for lights, and there were a number of other criteria we had to satisfy,” explained Dean.
“We have been fairly successful at junior level in recent times, so that was a clear point in our favour.
“We also have a good team of qualified coaches
“And we have excellent facilities at Laund Hill, with plans to create another football pitch.”
AFC Emley entered the Northern Alliance a year ago and won the West Division title as well as the League Cup.
“We monitored their progress and success,” added Dean, whose coaching team included former Town striker Rodney Rowe.
“We’re certainly not making any bold statements, because we will be up against some excellent clubs, but Emley showed that Huddersfield has a lot of talented footballers.
“Obviously Emley have being going strong for a number of years, and Brighouse Town are doing very well.
“But Huddersfield itself hasn’t had a non-league club as such since the days of Bradley Rangers.
“There is a space which we want to fill, and hopefully we are at the start of a building process.
“We know there is a long way to go, but we have plans in place and I have an excellent committee as well as the coaches and players.”
The YMCA rugby union team are preparing for a National III North campaign which starts with a trip to Westoe on September 6.
They won promotion via the North I play-offs.
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