HECK secure future of football team Bedale AFC

Well-known Yorkshire brand HECK! revealed on Tuesday (July 23) that it was helping secure and develop North Yorkshire club Bedale AFC.

This move will now provide a pathway in the town, from junior to men’s football, which has been welcomed by Bedale Junior Football Club, which sees it as a positive step to provide those players who are too old to play junior football with an opportunity to play on a Saturday or Sunday for one of the senior teams.

Martyn Coombs (right) welcomes Bedale Town FC manager Jack Wilson to the Heck Stadium (Image: HECK)

Without a manager this season, Bedale AFC risked folding, so the club has created a development team to play in the North Riding Football League.

Club official Jack Wilson said: "We see this as a great opportunity to start working together towards creating a fantastic footballing environment for the community, we aim to create strong links with the association and work hand in hand with the Saturday team to complement both sides.

"We look forward to the future with great interest and excitement."

Adrian Grayson (president Bedale AFC), Michael Duff and Martyn Coombs (Chairman/treasurer Bedale AFC) (Image: HECK)

Bedale AFC is famous for its sausage-themed strips, supplied by sponsor HECK! Food.

In 2017 when the first kit was unveiled, it became famous around the world when it was voted the world’s ‘wurst’ football kit.

Through donations and replica shirt sales, this first and all subsequent kits have helped raise £192,100 for prostate cancer charities.

The HECK kit on the pitch (Image: HECK)

Bedale Junior Football Club head coach Ian Cross added: "The transition of young players into the adult game is something we look to support, and we believe the point at which it is right for a junior player to join an adult team can vary from individual to individual.

"We will continue to run teams at U16, U17 and U18 where there is demand.

Youth players wearing the HECK kit (Image: HECK)

"We will continue to offer girl’s teams up to U15 and U16 and we will continue to support and work towards the formation of a women’s football team in Bedale to allow a similar pathway into the adult game for girls, as is now available to boys."

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Bedale AFC chairman and treasurer Martyn Coombs said: “This is an exciting time for football in the community and the future looks so optimistic when at one time, I thought it could have been the end of our club." 

From HECK's point of view, Andrew Keeble, founder of the brand, has said that grassroots football is the "bedrock of the sport in the UK" and that they're "proud to be able to support young people."

The Bedale AFC news is supported by EFL Huddersfield Town FC manager Michael Duff, who played for Bedale's junior side when he was younger and said: "I was saddened to see Bedale AFC come close to folding, but I am delighted that they have risen again with a development side featuring young lads, as they embark on their journey into open age, competitive football."