A FOOTBALL club that has reinvented itself to become a sustainable community hub has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award.
Andrew Scattergood, president of Wombwell Town, got together with friend and former Barnsley FC player Karl Rose to turn the site on Station Road around after it had been left derelict for years.
“It was quite a bad site for vandalism, the windows of the clubhouse were smashed in and that sort of thing, and the football pitches were massively overgrown.
“We set up our first trials in 2018, four lads turned up and we thought, is this going to work?
“We had a vision of what we wanted to do.
“The main thing is we wanted a sustainable community club.”
After securing £300,000 in funding from various organisations like the football association and Barnsley Council, the club has flourished.
Around 600 fences were put in to make area secure, and new windows installed in the clubhouse, Andrew said.
“We’ve just grown and grown to have a second men’s team, a Sunday morning team, a girls’ team and a special needs team.
“The clubhouse is used by a number of community groups, and a new two-storey extension will bring a classroom and new changing facilities.”
Upon hearing of the club’s nomination under the Sporting Achievement category, Andrew said: “It’s amazing really to sit back and think where we’ve come from on that first day when four lads turned up with their boots.
“It’s really pleasing to be nominated. We’re very proud to be in Barnsley.”
