The club was established in 2002 and comprises entirely of volunteers and is at the heart of the community of Batley, Heckmondwike and Dewsbury.
The club has grown to over 350 members with a waiting list of over 150.
We have also developed a girls’ section and have plans to introduce disability and walking football for the elderly.
The club also has close links with the schools the children attend.
The club is based in a socially deprived area and uses football to engage with and keep children out of harm and mischief. We are proud that most of our graduates have progressed to professions. We have a saying that our primary aim is not to produce footballers but upstanding citizens who will represent the community.
Each summer the club arranges a festival to increase participation opportunities for children who do not play affiliated football during the season, at the same time reinforcing the community ties and commitment. The event is very popular with the community with approximately 3,000 attending to support last year. It was also featured on Sky News and the build up was also featured on regional BBC and ITV.
It is the clubs vision to secure a long term lease of Hyrstlands Park, to imptove the facilities and conditions of the area, sadly neglected over the years, which will allow the club to deliver a high standard of services.
The club is working hard with the Football Foundation to improve the site.
At the same time improving the park will also benefit the whole community by making it more accessible for walking, other sports such as the local ladies’ rounders team and family activities.
