A sign which reads T.V. Harrison Sports Ground with a football field in the background.Jack Conlon/BBC
Steve Jones
BBC News, Yorkshire
A blue plaque is set to be unveiled at a grassroots football pitch in Leeds graced by football stars before they became professional.
Generations of youngsters from the city have played at the TV Harrison Sports Ground, locally known as the Wortley Wembley, including several later snapped up by big clubs.
They include Paul Reaney, Brian Deane and Kalvin Phillips, with all three going on to play for Leeds United. Earlier this year, the Premier League side took over the running of the site to secure its future.
"The story of this plaque shows that local sports facilities are hard to establish and even harder to retain," said Martin Hamilton, Leeds Civic Trust director.
In 2022, campaigners managed to secure the pitch as an "asset of community value" to help prevent it making way for a housing development.
According to the civic trust, organised sport had been played at the location since the 1850s.
The ground is named after teacher Tom Vernon Harrison, who led a fundraising campaign in 1928 for it to be purchased for the benefit of children in the city.
"Hats off to Mr Harrison, who saved this long-established facility in the 1920s and to campaigners more recently who have secured its long-term future," said Mr Hamilton.
Reaney, Deane, and fellow ex-professional players Stuart McCall and Noel Whelan, who also played at the ground, are set to be among those present for the 11:00 BST plaque unveiling on Saturday.
A photo of the pitch at the T.V. Sports Ground.Jack Conlon/BBC
Michael Meadowcroft, chair of the TV Harrison Sports Ground Association, said: "The blue plaque not only pays tribute to Tom Vernon Harrison and the history of the ground but also demonstrates the power of united community action.
"Our association now looks forward to working with Leeds United in making the ground a vibrant successful sports facility for local children and youths."
A Leeds United spokesperson confirmed plans were under way for an all-weather pitch and a new community building at the ground.
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