SHERBURN White Rose Junior Football Club are one of the best in the business - and that, as they say, is official.

The club, which boasts eight junior teams and provides football to boys and girls from the ages of six to 17 at its Sherburn-in-Elmet base, has been given a prestigious award.

The FA Charter Standard Club Development Award, supported by England team sponsor Nationwide, was presented to the club by Selby MP John Grogan.

Launched last year, the award recognises a high level of coaching, administration, development and child protection for football clubs working with young people at grass-roots.

After initially starting out with two seven-a-side teams in 1995 the junior section now boasts three pitches accommodating 11-a-side games and mini-soccer matches.

The club's ambition continues to run deep. It is now in the closing stages of submitting an application to build a new clubhouse featuring four changing rooms, two officials' rooms, a treatment room and coaching/training facilities, plus a new bowling club.

The plans have drawn support from both the district and parish councils.

Said club secretary Gary Limbert: "If White Rose FC are successful in this project in providing a safe and secure place for young children to play football with good facilities it would be a major boost to the village and its community."

Anyone interested in being involved with the club can contact Limbert tel 01977 682109 or senior secretary R Sutcliffe tel 09177 683105.

Updated: 10:47 Saturday, April 27, 2002