A JUNIOR football club marking its 30th anniversary is looking for funds to help it celebrate.

General manager of Bolton Woods Junior Football Club Tony Miller is appealing for donations to make 2018 a year of fun and celebration.

When he founded the club three decades ago, at the request of locals fed up with footballs being kicked at their cars and walls, it had just 13 youngsters playing on a sloping pitch on Gaisby Stray – but numbers have shot up to almost 300 now, with ages ranging from just two to 18.

“We’ve come a very long way since those days and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved,” said Mr Miller.

As numbers grew, the club moved across nearby Canal Road to King George V playing fields.

Then, nine years ago, it won thousands of pounds in grants to build changing rooms, a pavilion and install a drainage system on land at Powell Road where it is still based today.

“Our club is still getting bigger now, putting on a range of practice sessions, training and competitive and non-competitive football opportunities for local young people during term-time and school holidays,” said Mr Miller.

And he added: “The work carried out at the football club is entirely voluntary, with a team of dedicated volunteers contributing to its management and development.

“One of the fundamental benefits of the volunteering and hands-on approach to working with young people is the excellent relationship, trust and respect which now exists.

“All of this has created a conducive environment for developing social education and positive attitudes and values with the young people.”

News is awaited of a £900 grant from the West Riding County Football Association to fund a Wildcats girls project, running football and other activities for young girls from the area which would then encourage them to join the club at the end. The club already has three girls’ teams.

The club is hoping its anniversary appeal will bring in around £2,000 to pay for a number of children’s and supporting parents’ parties as well as fun days.

It also wants to buy a souvenir for all the children to mark the 30th anniversary.

A crowdfunding page can be found at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/boltonwoodsjuniors30years.

Cheques payable to Bolton Woods Junior Football Club can be posted to 3 Laburnum Road, Shipley BD18 2JA, or paid by Bacs to sort code 20-11-81, account number 00076120.