Young mascots’ kit fundraiser

Up to 25 members of Gomersal and Cleckheaton U7s will do the honours when Liversedge Town FC take on local rivals Thackley on Saturday.

And the event will double up as a fund-raiser for the young team, hopefully bringing in money for much-needed equipment and kit.

Under-7s team manager Shaun Hamill said: “Some might say this is the club’s ‘cutest’ age group.

“As we are the youngest age group of our club, we have to use ‘hand me downs’ or buy our own new equipment. As such, like other clubs, we have to find ways to raise money.

“Gomersal and Cleckheaton are affiliated with Liversedge Town FC. They kindly allow our teams to act as mascots on match days and the kids love doing it.

“It is my age group’s privilege to be mascots on Saturday April 12 against Thackley.”

As a club, G&C have taken the youngsters to Bradford FC, Huddersfield Town and Leeds United to show them the big local teams.”We always planned for them to go as a team go to a Liversedge game,” said Mr Hamill. “We want to show the kids all levels of professional football.”

For the fund-raising aspect of the Liversedge game, there will be a sponsored ‘dribble’ from Tesco Cleckheaton to the match along the Greenway. Mr Hamill praised the help given by the Tesco store. “They have been brilliant,” he said. “They are allowing us to use car park, bucket-collect in the foyer, play football next to the store and the players have even been promised an ice lolly each before they set off.

“Liversedge Town are allowing two of our players to be mascots, but also at half-time for us to play on the pitch, so the kids are really excited. I’m guessing the gate will be the highest for many a year as all the mums, dads, grandparents and friends will want to be there.

“This promises to be a lovely community event which shows Yorkshire at its best.”