The 2017/18 football season proved triumphant for historic local football club Yorkshire Ama-teurs AFC. Known locally as the Ammers, the club’s First Team has been promoted to the Premiership of the Northern Counties East League (NCEL) after winning their last seven consecutive games of the season whilst playing in the First Division.

The promotion is being widely celebrated by supporters and players at the club who are crediting their success to the recent investment poured into their training facilities and youth teams, along with the hard work and talent of staff and players.

In 2017 the Ammers received a significant amount of investment from Leeds based company Southerns. The national FF&E office and workspace interiors specialists, who are also Leeds United Football Club Shirt Sleeve Sponsors, supported the club to create a brand new seven-a-side 3G pitch, providing the team with year-round training facilities.

The new pitch has had a huge impact on the club, enabling the First Team to train more frequently which has undoubtedly led to the improvement in their performance and subsequent promotion. It is also helping to transform the face of grassroots football in the region, enabling teams of all ages to train at the site and develop their skills.

Neil Sibson, Coach of Yorkshire Amateurs AFC, said: “I am so proud of the players and coaching team for the success we have achieved this season. We have displayed some excellent skills and tactics on the pitch and the team has played together brilliantly.
“The improvements to our training facilities have undoubtedly contributed to the development we have seen in our players and our end of season promotion. The all-weather pitch has meant we haven't missed one training session which I believe has had a massive impact in terms of our perfor-mance. This impact has shone through at every age and level, not just with our first team players. In fact the improvement from regular training sessions has meant that we have been able to boost the first team with five new players from our U21’s development team which has made a massive contribution to our winning streak.

“It goes without saying that we are excited for next season and to make our debut in the Premiership of the NCEL. We are now focused on continuing to train and strive to make a real impact in the division next season. Achieving a back to back promotion and being promoted again at the end of next season is our ultimate goal!”

Southerns Group CEO, Andy Kendall-Jones said: “The Ammers have had a brilliant season and their promotion to the premiership has been very much deserved.

“I’m passionate about football and feel it is a great privilege to be able to help players of all ages to train and get involved with their community teams. The Yorkshire Amateurs club has so much local history and we’re glad that we have been able to support the club at a grassroots level - the rewards are already evident. We are looking forward to continuing to work with them to help them to support development for further league promotions.”

Yorkshire Amateur

1. Page 1