ILKLEY Town want to continue to fill a vacuum that they feel exists in girls' and women's football, not only in the town but in the wider Wharfedale area.

Although they have a plan to develop not only players but also coaches and referees, they also need more players to come on board at all age groups, and are coaching in local schools.

Ilkley Town Ladies' manager Tony Gill says: "Local teams have now folded and there are very few if any teams for girls to play football, hence we want to put in place a plan to enable them to come and play at all ages

"Ilkley's aim is to develop a structure with the local schools whereby girls can come and play from under-tens upwards, while also continuing to introduce new age-group teams to the girls' section and making it a sustainable and enjoyable adventure for the players.

"The ultimate aim is for the girls to have a progression to the ladies' team.

"One of our ladies will coach to the new influx of under-tens from September, a pivotal role in helping nurturing the younger age group and pointing them in the right direction."

Although Ilkley Town's girls' teams have enjoyed success and will benefit from being a year young last season, in general they need more players.

For example, the under-tens, newly-formed last season, were crowned Harrogate League champions in a tournament recently.

As they prepare for life as under-11s next season, they have an enthusiastic bunch of around 17 players who are good fun to coach, and they train on Mondays (6pm-7pm).

Although 15 to 18 under-13s trained regularly last season, they generally only had ten players per match, despite seven newcomers joining the squad.

However, all but two are under-12s, giving them a solid base to continue their tactics of being rock solid in defence and playing fast counter-attacking football – a format which has placed them third in their league for the past two seasons.

Highlights were the defeats of Knaresborough Celtic – by far the best team in the league – away from home in both of the past two campaigns.

Last season, Ilkley were 3-0 behind at half-time, but, after a half-time pep talk, won the second half 5-1 to triumph 5-4.

However, they need a regular goalkeeper, with the girls taking it in turns between the sticks – sometimes as many as four in a match having the job.

The under-13s, who won the Ilkley tournament in 2013-14 and were runners-up this season, will be playing in the Harrogate League at under-14 level against 11 other teams.

Ilkley Town's under-15 girls' team only won one match last season but were facing girls who were, for the most part, a year older, so they go into this season with more optimism.

Occasionally training with the ladies' team has helped, and they not only won their age group in the recent Ilkley Tournament but some of their players were promoted to the ladies' team, who also triumphed.

Despite many of their number only being 16 or 17, the under-18s won their League Cup, and it is hoped that many of them will progress to the open-age side.

Ilkley Town, who ultimately want females in charge as managers and coaches, are preparing for a fourth season in the West Riding County Women's League, with one player having progressed right through from the under-tens to the open-age side and become a Level Two coach.

The ladies' squad also have four Level One coaches, while trendsetter Becky Gill has become the first qualified female referee in the town but intends to keep up both her playing and refereeing.

Gill, who has been recognised for his hard work within the club in the Ilkley & District Volunteer Awards and the West Riding County FA's Community Awards, where he was runner-up in the outstanding contribution to football category, knows that playing football promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Anyone who is interested in playing or coaching at any age group or at open age, any everyone will be made welcome, can contact him on 07709-313528.