By John Baron. Additional reporting: Katherine Turner
The ‘dedication and persistence’ of a West Leeds community who ‘dug in’ to save a historic sports pitch from housing has been celebrated at a special ceremony.
A blue plaque was today (Saturday, 6 September) unveiled at the TV Harrison Sports Ground in Wortley by former Leeds United stars Paul Reaney, Stuart McCall and Noel Whelan. All three started their careers playing at the ground as youngsters.
Some of the attendees at Wortley’s Wembley today. Photo: John Baron
Generations of young players from the city started at the TV Harrison Sports Ground, which is also known as ‘Wortley’s Wembley’. 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.
It was saved from being developed for local authority housing thanks to a concerted community campaign which ran for over six years.
The ground was this year bought by Leeds United, who today pledged to honour and create ‘the most incredible football facility’.
More than 150 people attended the unveiling of a blue plaque to mark both the history on the community efforts to maintain the facility.
Leeds Civic Trust’s Martin Hamilton opened proceedings. Photo: John Baron
Leeds Civic Trust Director Martin Hamilton said the blue plaque not only marked the significance of place, but also the ‘persistence and dedication’ of ‘local people who through their hard work have ensured that this piece of land has not has not be lost for sport’.
He said organised sport has been played at the location since the 1850s, and added: “Sports facilities like this have often been lost for housing development. The story of this plaque shows that local sports facilities are hard to establish and even harder to retain.
“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,” Mr Hamilton added.
Former Leeds West MP Michael Meadowcroft. Photo: John Baron
Chair of the TV Harrison Sports Ground Association, Michael Meadowcroft, paid tribute to the ‘solidarity of the community’ for saving the facility.
He said: “This ceremony marks a key point in the six and a half years of local campaigning to prevent the charity charged with protecting the ground and Leeds City Council building on an historic sports ground. It demonstrates the power of united community action.
“Quite apart from the heavy task of clearing the football pitch and maintaining it for regular matches, it also took four successful actions in the High Court at great financial risk to this voluntary body.
“The key involvement of Leeds United in taking over the ground has been crucial and has
saved us from a potential fifth legal action. 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 LUFC in making the ground a vibrant successful sports facility for local children and youths.”
Leeds Civic Trust’s Martin Hamilton, Noel Whelan, Paul Reaney, Stuart McCall, Mark Sewards MP and Michael Meadowcroft with the plaque
Leeds South West and Morley MP Mark Sewards said the unveiling signified ‘a victory for the local community’
“Without the action of the community, we would not be standing here today,” he said. “It wasn’t just the essential legal action, it was all the work you have done to maintain the ground, to find teams to play on it and restore it in the way that you have. I want to congratulate everyone for their work.”
Former players unveil the plaque. Photo: John Baron
Mr Sewards had been been part of negotiations with Leeds United to buy the land. He added: “I have had many a sleepless night over the past three years and I am very very pleased to see us in this position, where a Premier League football club is investing in a facility for the community of Wortley and the whole city. I’m excited for the future.”
Francis Milner, Leeds United Foundation chief executive, said: “The community have really fought to keep the site for local children.
“I feel really excited that we are going to be taking forward the incredible legacy of Tom Harrison and the people who have worked so hard over the years to keep that legacy alive. As a foundation we are passionate about getting every Leeds child to be able to access football.”
Ms Milner said the Foundation will be working to tidy the ground in the next few months. The second phase of work will include the creation of ‘the most incredible football facility’, featuring a pitch and wider facilities which could be used by the community.
“We want so many boys and girls playing in this facility. We want kids in every day of the week and we can create something which is really wonderful for our community and the people of Leeds.
“Because of you we can take forward the wonderful legacy of Tom Harrison.”
Paul Reaney speaks at the unveiling. Photo: Katherine Turner
Leeds United legend Paul Reaney played at the TV Harrison ground for Leeds City Boys in the late 1950s and said itv played a major part in his football education.
“It was an amazing feeling to play here,” the former Leeds defender told the crowd. A year later he joined Leeds United to continue his footballing journey with the likes of John Charles, Bobby Collins and ‘the gaffer’, Don Revie.
“I ended up playing for England because I played for Leeds United. And before that I played for Leeds City Boys at the TV Harrison ground.”
Community joy. Photo: Clare Pollard
Attending the blue plaque unveiling was Councillor Adrian McCluskey (Lab, Farnley & Wortley). He told WLD: “Today showed what the community of Wortley can do together.
“This not only recognises all those children who played on the ground, some of whom went on to play at a professional level, such as Paul Reaney, Noel Whelan and Stuart McCall, but those in our community who dug in to save the ground from housing development.
“But the is not just about the past, it’s also about the future and what is about to be developed by Leeds Utd. This will be a major investment and attraction for the people of Wortley and across our city.”
The three former professional footballers with the plaque. Photo: Clare Pollard
Plaque wording
A place for organised sport since the 1850s. The ground is named after local teacher Tom Vernon Harrison who led a successful appeal in 1928 for its purchase by public subscription for the children of Leeds. Following a local campaign against redevelopment, the Leeds United Foundation bought the ground in 2025, thus securing its future for community sport.
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