HORSFORTH St Margaret’s FC is ending its centenary season in style with two big charity matches, lots of league and cup successes and a full redevelopment of its home ground.

Founded in 1921, the club has grown to its current size with more than 100 teams, from junior boys and girls teams to open age football. The club also run pan-disability football, womens’ social football, and has just introduced football sessions for Ukrainian refugees. It is now one of the largest grassroots football clubs in the UK,

The charity matches, on May 28 and June 5 mirror similar matches held to launch the centenary season last Summer. On May 28 the club’s senior open age team take on the Phoenix Charity Allstars, featuring actors from soap operas. On Sunday June 5 a team made up of coaches from the club will play the Jet 2 Allstars, featuring former professional footballers such as Manchester Utd legend Dennis Irwin, Micky Gray (ex Sunderland, Leeds Utd and England) and Rodri Giggs, brother of Ryan Giggs, alongside Coronation Street neighbours Kurt and Tyrone, actors Andy Whyment and Alan Halsall.

Last Summer’s matches drew huge crowds as the club returned from COVID lockdown restrictions.

On the pitch, Horsforth St Margaret’s FC has had it most successful season with teams across age groups winning county cups and league titles. The club's U14 Girls team are on target to win an incredible quadruple of trophies, having already secured first place in two league competitions and moving into the final of two cup competitions.

Club press officer, Gary McVeigh-Kaye said: "This past season has been an unprecedented success for everyone involved at the club. To have over 100 teams playing football in our centenary year was a wonderful milestone to reach. Our teams have done us credit by winning trophy after trophy. We were pleased to host a charity evening with Victor Orta (Leeds Utd Director of Football) which raised over £1200 for the Young Minds Charity, and we have just launched a new initiative to give football sessions for refugees who have fled the horrors of war in Ukraine. We are proud to be a club at the heart of the Horsforth community and we continue to work within the community to provide football for over 1500 girls, boys, women and men."

During the centenary year the club received a special message of congratulations from former Leeds Utd Head Coach Marcelo Bielsa, who sent "A big hug and the greatest respect and recognition to all the coaches, players and staff at Horsforth St Margaret’s FC for their 100 years of dedicated work'.

The club also held a successful fundraising dinner at the Headingley Pavilion, attended by coaches and players from the past and present, as well as Lord Patel, Chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Following the two charity matches the King George’s Fields headquarters are due a full redevelopment with old pitches being taken up to add drainage and new grass. Gary McVeigh-Kaye said: "It is fitting that we enter our next century of success by bringing our playing facilities into the 21st century. This exciting redevelopment means that we can continue to provide the very best football experience for children and adults in and around Horsforth. Our club has grown to be one of the largest grassroots football clubs in the country and we are thrilled that our new pitches will match our ambition to become even larger and more successful."

The matches takes place at the Horsforth Sports Club, Brownberrie Lane, Horsforth on 28th May and 5th June, both matches kick off at 2pm. Admission is free and a full range of refreshments and entertainment will be available from the clubhouse.