Leeds strike five-figure agreement in deal away from Elland Road, local MP delighted
Leeds strike five-figure agreement in deal away from Elland Road, local MP delighted
Leeds United have always been the heartbeat of their community, with a one-club city united by its players on the Elland Road pitch.
Such a large-scale global support network emanates from the proud Yorkshire city, whose local residents now appear to be given a helping hand by their club in a latest reported move.
Leeds under Paraag Marathe have now seen a bid accepted for a key part of the local football scene, which could go a considerable way to protecting its long-term future.
Leeds MP delighted after bid accepted
Back in 2022 under Andrea Radrizzani, Leeds United bid £50,000 to the Leeds Schools Sports Association (LSSA) for the TV Harrison Sports Ground in Wortley.
LSSA have now accepted the offer, as revealed by Farnley & Wortley MP Mark Sewards on Facebook (19 March), with the Whites in line to hold ownership for the next 250 years.
What this means is that the sports venue – often heartwarmingly dubbed ‘Wortley’s Wembley’, is now significantly protected from the previous plans before LSSA’s takeover to build housing on the land.
Local residents will now be in consultation with Leeds United to ensure the agreement is welcomed by all nearby, with an agreement now in place to prevent any housing developments and sustain the sports ground, keeping the community one of their most recognised areas to play.
A period of six weeks will now ensue in which any party can submit a bid to match that of Leeds, as Sewards points out is under the guidelines of Assets of Community Value.
Marathe and 49ers giving go-ahead to key community initiative
As pointed out by the Yorkshire Evening Post (20 March), ‘Wortley’s Wembley’ was the original footballing home of Leeds greats such as Brian Deane and David Batty.
The Whites have enjoyed all manner of homegrown stars since, especially considering the success of the academy at Thorp Arch in recent years, and grassroots venues are absolutely vital to continue the production line.
It’s great how Marathe and the board recognise that at the top of the hierarchy and are willing to commit some investment into maintaining the grassroots opportunities for youngsters in the area.
Local residents are bound to embrace the plans, especially those with young families keen on sport – not to mention the likely maintenance of their rising owned property prices given that further housing developments will not be built on their local estates.
Sewards will work closely with the plans, though Leeds United will not comment until the deal has been formally signed off.
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