Agenda item

In accordance with Paragraphs 4.16 and 4.17 of the Community Committee Procedure Rules, at the discretion of the Chair a period of up to 10 minutes may be allocated at each ordinary meeting for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Community Committee. This period of time may be extended at the discretion of the Chair. No member of the public shall speak for more than three minutes in the Open Forum, except by permission of the Chair.

In accordance with the Community Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed a period of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or ask questions within the terms of reference of the Community Committee.

The following was discussed:

 Football Club (FC) United of Leeds

Two members of Middleton FC attended the Committee Meeting and outlined their intentions for the club to achieve a semi-professional standard and re-brand as the FC United of Leeds, with South Leeds Stadium to be utilised as their home ground. A Wellbeing Funding application had been submitted for determination by the Committee, with details of the application available at ‘Inner South Community Committee 4^th July 2023 Supplementary Pack Item 9 – Inner South Community Committee Finance Report (2)’. Middleton FC had been in existence for 6 years and was currently graded as part of the Step 7 League and if promoted would achieve semi-professional status; this would be the first semi-professional team for South Leeds. Partnership work with Leeds United was ongoing with proposed connections between the teams for future FC United of Leeds players to be released to Leeds United first team and the aim was to promote football across all demographics in the city rather than to compete against other teams. Middleton FC Under 23’s team had recently won their league and a junior team and women’s team were planned to be developed as part of the transformation.

In response to questions from Members to those making a deputization, the following was discussed:

• The difference between FC United of Leeds and other local teams was noted as, development of a new pathway for young people to start a career in football with the ability to play semi-professionally, and the unique selling point, that sets Middleton FC apart from other local teams, was that they were just one step away from semi-professional status and thus worth the investment to improve football provision for the local community for both players and fans.
• As the Leeds United Development Centre was located in North Leeds, Members noted it to be positive to develop provision for high standard football in South Leeds. Pitches were graded by the Football Association (FA) and had confirmed South Leeds Stadium to have appropriate facilities and capacity for a semi-professional team.
• South Leeds Stadium would be utilised to provide an equal level of facility provision for all with the development of a juniors and women’s team and would promote equality, diversity, inclusion and be representative of the local community.
• Mark Henry, a Chairman for Yorkshire Amateurs football, was involved in the proposals and was noted to have appropriate experience, contacts and operational knowledge for FC United of Leeds to succeed.
• If the Wellbeing funding was not granted the project would not stop and alternative funding would be sought, however, it was noted that Council funding would secure a partnership and a good working relationship in aid of the community.

The social implications the re-branding would entail were outlined as, the charitable arm of the club would set up events on a voluntary and donation basis with equipment and licensed coaches running free sessions, as well as taking younger people on trips to other high level football facilities round the country.