THACKLEY Juniors football club are holding a gala day for girls’ football at Dennyfield this Sunday and they are hoping to recruit some new players for their own teams on the day.

The club has a huge number of boys playing at every possible age group and they are launching teams at under-eight/nine and under ten/11 for girls. The long-term aim is to have a much bigger girls' section but they are testing the water and building up from a modest beginning.

Thackley Juniors chairman Phil Woollias said: “We have been working closely with the West Riding County FA and that work culminates in this girls' football gala at Dennyfield.

“We are expecting a lot of people at the ground because the West Riding FA have made it a drop-in centre and have advertised it all around. It will be a big day for Thackley Juniors and it is the culmination of a lot of hard work.

“One of the female coaches from the FA is trying to get some of the England Women players to come along and there will be small-sided games going on. It all starts at 2pm and may finish around 4pm or 5pm, it really depends on how many girls show up.”

Thackley Juniors are hoping some of the youngsters take a liking to the club and sign up for one of their teams.

Woollias said: “It will be a registering day for our club. We have approximately 360 boys with us from under-fives to under-16’s and we want to begin girls football at a manageable level.

“We are hoping this launch creates a lot of interest and I’m sure the community feel to this club will attract players. If they come along this Sunday we will get them involved and give all the information to their parents.”