TOCKWITH Juniors have become one of only 650 football clubs in the country to be awarded with the FA Charter Standard Community Club award.

The club, formed in 2003 and located between Harrogate and York, saw their achievement recognised on York City’s Bootham Crescent pitch before the Sky Bet League Two clash with Chesterfield.

Tockwith currently boast almost 300 members as well as 19 junior and youth squads, ranging from aged six to 19, feeding into two senior teams.

Three of the 19 squads are for females with new players always welcomed.

The club also have more than 30 FA-qualified outfield and goalkeeping coaches, both male and female, while also providing a community feeder service and accommodating players from surrounding towns, such as Wetherby, Knaresborough, Ripon, Boroughbridge and West York, as well as neighbouring villages.

FA Charter Standard Community Club Award status is achieved for football clubs offering the highest standards at grassroots level and meeting all the criteria stipulated by the national governing body.

On the recognition, club secretary Gary Allam said: “This is a fantastic award for Tockwith. The players, officers, coaches and volunteers deserve recognition for all their hard work week after week and should be very proud to be accredited with this title.

“The FA Community Award is the highest level recognition any grassroots club can achieve and this is a statement that we offer the highest standards and development possible in a safe and enjoyable environment.

"We believe football should be fun and available to all, so we are extremely pleased and would like to thank the North Riding County Football Association, York City in the Community and the FA for their continued support.”