IMAGES: Pateley Bridge juniors at Leeds United match

Pateley Bridge Junior Football Club ‘shook the shirt’ in the centre circle moments before Leeds United kicked off on Saturday.
Pateley Bridge juniors on the pitch at Elland Road. Image: Michael Myers (s).Pateley Bridge juniors on the pitch at Elland Road. Image: Michael Myers (s).
Pateley Bridge juniors on the pitch at Elland Road. Image: Michael Myers (s).

The 25 excited youngsters - and their coaches - took to the Elland Road pitch moments before the whistle at the Sky Bet Championship fixture against Birmingham City on Saturday.

The club was taking part in a grassroots scheme run by United, which encourages youth teams across the region to come along and get involved in the action.

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As part of the scheme, the Pateley club raised £139 through a cashback ticketing deal.

Pateley Bridge juniors on the pitch at Elland Road. Image: Michael Myers (s).Pateley Bridge juniors on the pitch at Elland Road. Image: Michael Myers (s).
Pateley Bridge juniors on the pitch at Elland Road. Image: Michael Myers (s).

Coach Paul Howard said: “It was a cracking day - they all really enjoyed it!
“As part of the scheme, you enter a ballot to see what you get to do at the match - we got to ‘shake the shirt’ just before kick-off, and then go around the pitch at half time.

“All the kids and all the coaches got on the pitch to shake the shirt - I was worried about them getting too cold as they had to lift this massive shirt which was covered in sleet and snow, but they didn’t mind.”

Many of those involved at the club are Leeds fans, as Paul explained: “I wouldn’t say we are made up exclusively of Leeds fans, but there are a few. It is good exposure for Leeds to get the team out, watching the match and getting involved.

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“We watched from the East stand, and the kids really got a sense of the Elland Road atmosphere!”

The match ended 1-1.

Click here for a round-up of results from across Harrogate, Ripon and Wetherby.

Pateley Bridge Junior Football Club was founded three years ago.

It now has four age group teams - under 7s to under 11s - playing in the Nidderdale Junior Football League, and an under 12s team in the Harrogate & District Junior Football League.

The club currently has over 60 junior members, though more players - and coaches - are always welcome.

For more information contact Damian Brockway - 07837 674680 or [email protected]