Tom Gordon MP Holds Meeting with Minister to Discuss Knaresborough Town AFC
Today, Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, met with the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society, and Youth to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Knaresborough Town AFC.
This meeting followed Tom’s recent visit to Knaresborough Town AFC, where he met with the club’s co-chairmen, Paul Howard and Nigel Corner. They highlighted to Tom the significant disruptions caused by the club’s frequently waterlogged pitch, which disrupts matches and training sessions.
During his visit, Tom also learned about the broader impact the club has on the community. Knaresborough Town AFC partners with local charities and supports groups such as Rainbow Care Dementia, who benefit from access to the club’s facilities. For Tom, it was clear to see that Knaresborough Town AFC is a valuable asset to the entire community, far beyond just football.
Recognising the club’s value to the community, Tom is determined to help Knaresborough Town AFC overcome these challenges. He saw his meeting with the Minister as an important first step in this process.
During the meeting, the Minister said that she would look to set up a visit with the Football Foundation – England’s largest sports charity, funded by the Premier League, FA and Government – to Knaresborough Town AFC.
The Football Foundation has supported thousands of grassroots clubs nationwide, sometimes through the construction of 3G pitches, which is what Knaresborough Town AFC urgently needs.
Commenting after the meeting, Tom said:
"I would like to thank the Minister for what was a constructive meeting. Knaresborough Town AFC is a fantastic club that plays a crucial role in the local community, far beyond just the sport. During my visit a few months ago, I was very disappointed to hear how often games and training is disrupted due to the pitch being waterlogged.
“I am determined for this to change so that the club can continue supporting the football and wider community. I am pleased that the minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth has agreed to assist with getting the Football Foundation to visit Knaresborough Town AFC. This is a great first step towards securing the funding the club deserves.”
