Harrogate and District

Originally the “Harrogate & District Women & Girls Football Development Group” was established on the 16th May 2002, this group was formed to develop girls and women’s football in the area.

This group was driven by Anna Frearson, then of Knaresborough Town Ladies FC, Harrogate Borough Council and the WRCFA and was supported by a host of local junior clubs.

Prior to this group forming, an approach was made to the Harrogate Boy’s League to incorporate a girls section alongside the boys section. The League Secretary at the time was Ian Brown and the first playing season for the girls was 2003/2004.

The girl’s league has worked and developed alongside the boy’s league ever since, mirroring the same rule changes, developments and initiatives.

Some of the original clubs still playing in the girl’s league today are as follows:

Killinghall Nomads
Harrogate Railway
Knaresborough Celtic
Wetherby Athletic
Pannal Ash

The League has facilitated girl’s football for teams as far away as Hemsworth in West Yorkshire and Bedale in North Yorkshire & Southpark Rangers in Middlesbrough, but mainly serves the Harrogate District and North Leeds postcode areas.

In the season 2019/2020 the League has 32 member teams and has steadily increased on a yearly basis, which is successfully governed by the current voluntary League Management Committee.

Web Links:

FA’s ‘For Girls’ Website: H&DGFL Twitter: H&DGFL Facebook: