Bradford & District | Archive | 1998 | June | 5
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 5th Jun 1998.
A youngsters' football team can play on after an appeal in the Telegraph & Argus stopped them getting turfed off their pitch.
Fairbank United - made up of children from Whetley First and Middle schools - had been told their pitch was too small by officials from the Craven League.
To make the field bigger the youngsters needed about 20 tons of soil - or they faced being kicked into touch.
The team had been set up to help stamp out vandalism in the area. In 1995 the schools had 260 windows broken in the summer holidays, but after the team was formed just one window was broken the following year.
It was feared that vandalism could start again in the area if the football team was forced to fold.
But after an appeal in the T&A, four people came forward offering soil and one generous pensioner donated £100.
PC Tim Illingworth, who has supported the children as part of Toller Lane police's Work to Play scheme, said: "It shows the children that there are people who are interested and care about what they do.
"Within 24 hours of the story going in the T&A, five people telephoned me to offer their help. They all want to encourage young people to do something positive rather than hang about on the streets.
"When the pitch is ready to play on, we will be inviting everyone who offered to help to come along for the first match - which will be against the police."
David Hoyle, 67, of Bierley, donated £100 to help the children. "I would support anything that would help keep children out of trouble," said Mr Hoyle, who was a special constable in Bradford for more than 40 years.
"It gives children a chance and encourages them. As soon as I saw the article in the T&A I contacted PC Illingworth.''
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