A YOUNGSTERS' football club that has never had a home is set to get its own sports pitches to play on.

York city councillors are tonight recommended to lease Bishopthorpe White Rose Football Club land behind London Bridge service station in Tadcaster Road.

Having outgrown available facilities in Bishopthorpe, the club’s 400 members, aged five to 19, currently play matches across five different sites and don't have a home ground, clubhouse or focal point in the community.

Club secretary Josh Wong told The Press: “We’ve never had a home ground and one of the five places we play doesn’t even have changing rooms and toilets, so we are in dire need.

“Getting consent to lease the land at a peppercorn rent is our first major hurdle to jump. Once this is approved we know the council is on side and can apply for planning permission.

“We’ve been working on the funding by raising money ourselves and applying for grants.

“If it all comes though we would be looking to start work by September next year and ideally the pitches would be ready to play on by September 2019 or January 2020.”

The council’s executive committee is tonight being recommended to consent to the lease as it will help to address the need for additional pitch space in the south and west of the city.

The plan is for three 11-a-side pitches, two nine-a-side pitches and three seven-a-side pitches and onsite facilities, improving pedestrian and cycle access, providing essential vehicle access and providing car parking on the nearby Park&Ride site.

The cost is estimated at £400,000 with funding coming from the Football Foundation, the football club, local sponsorship and small grants, with the remainder from a capital programme and Section 106 cash.

Last month the club staged a Run to Wembley fundraising event to help it reach an £80,000 target, the initial amount needed to break ground on this project. The council will carry out the necessary works to deliver the pitches on the site.