A £1 million scheme to improve sports facilities at Nethermoor Park in Guiseley has been unveiled

Shipley businessman Brendan Larkin, who says he has £5 million to spend on sport in Aireborough and Wharfedale, wants to spend up to £1.2 million on a sports hall at Nethermoor Park, and provide Unibond League side Guiseley AFC with a new stand. They have played their home games in the park since 1902.

And Mr Larkin, managing director of Miko Oilfield Supplies Limited, which provides drilling and handling equipment, is looking to provide similar facilities at Otley, possibly on land used at present by Otley Town AFC.

Plans for the Guiseley scheme are due to be submitted to Leeds City Council.

Mr Larkin wants to see Nethermoor Park developed as a centre for a variety of sports.

If the sports hall is built, then it would cater for indoor football, cricket, bowls, badminton, short tennis, archery and fencing.

Mr Larkin has already had discussions with officials of Guiseley AFC, Guiseley CC and Guiseley Bowling Club.

"I would be providing the money for the development and my role would be to build and manage the sports hall," he said.

"My aim is to try and develop the leisure industry in Aireborough and Wharfedale. I have £5 million to spend and I would like to get cracking with the development tomorrow but we have to wait for planning approval from Leeds City Council. I would like to think we could start work within the next six months," he added.

He says Guiseley AFC should have better facilities. "If they win the Unibond League this season they will have to stay where they are because their facilties do not need the criteria laid down by the Vauxhall Conference League," he said.

Phil Rogerson, chairman of Guiseley AFC, said the project would be of benefit not only to the club but all the people of Guiseley.

Three years ago Leeds City Council turned down a plan by Guiseley AFC to build a £3 million stadium at Thorpe Farm, Guiseley. Residents living near to Nethermoor Park made it clear that if Guiseley stayed at Nethermoor Park they did not want any trees removed or a large stand built at the Ings Crescent side of the ground.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.