Leeds to keep 'Wortley Wembley' alive
Several former Leeds United stars including Kalvin Phillips, Brian Deane, David Batty, Noel Whelan and Paul Madeley grew-up playing on the famous TV Harrison ground in Wortley in Leeds.In 2022 campaigners trying to save the historic football pitch known as 'Wortley's Wembley' from having houses built upon in it managed to secure it as an "asset of community value". This meant the local community had the first say in what should happen to it.For Deane, the TV Harrison ground is an important part of the city's sporting heritage. "It's got so many iconic memories for a lot of people," he previously told the BBC. "This is where I had my first taste of playing teams outside of Leeds and it really meant something."Whelan added: "Cup finals were played on here. A lot of good players who went on to play for Leeds started here. It's where we developed our skills. This could be a really good opportunity to develop the next superstar of Leeds United."Three years on and there has been even better news. On Wednesday night local Labour MP for Leeds South West and Morley, Mark Sewards, announced that the future of the TV Harrison Sports Ground was assured thanks to the help of Leeds United.On social media he posted: "Leeds United's initial proposal to take over and invest in Wortley's Wembley has been accepted".The deal would see Leeds United take charge of the TV Harrison Football ground for the next 250 years for a price of £50,000. The deal includes a covenant that means the ground can only ever be used for sport and never used for houses.Over the next six weeks other parties can put their equivalent bid for the ground forward but Leeds United's deal would also see the club invest to make it a better playing facility. United are expected to comment should all the details of their proposal be finalised at the end of that period. Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds
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