A WOMEN’S football manager will hit a milestone this month when he takes charge of his 500th game.

When Burley Trojans Ladies football team play their match against Farsley Celtic at Burley Recreation Ground, on November 20, Dr Tony Gill will be celebrating being a manager for the impressive number of matches.

Tony, of Giggleswick, developed an interest in women’s football in 2004 when, after returning from a run, he received a knock at the door.

On the doorstep were four girls aged eight and nine - one of them his daughter - who said they wanted to play football and start a team. He agreed to manage them and contacted Burley Trojans to organise an open training event.

Tony said: “I thought there wouldn’t be many down and it will be all over in a couple of weeks. To my amazement there were 21 girls. I thought, this isn’t going to go away, and some 19 years and 500 games later, it hasn’t.”

He says he has made several “personal sacrifices” to ensure that girls can “aspire to greater things” through football.

As well as devoting his time to women’s football, Tony has carried out a number of fundraising projects for different organisations.

Tony has set up a non-profit website to help promote mental health awareness and to help supportive tips for everyone Tackle-It Kick Out Stigma – Mental Health Awareness (tackleit-kickoutstigma.co.uk) and it is hoped that everyone can share their experiences and help each other.

Tony has spent long periods of his time fund raising, he cycled Lands End to John O’Groats and raised funds for MND, Manorlands Hospice and The Bradley Lowry Foundation where he raised over £1500. At the start of the pandemic and lockdown Tony dedicated his 58th birthday to fundraising as he cycled 100 miles on his static bike in the garden to raise over a £1000 for MND and £500 for Manorlands hospice.

One of his players paid tribute to Tony and said: “Find yourself a football manager like Tony Gill. My return to football wouldn’t have been possible without this man, a manager that gives his all into the game, cares for you on and off the pitch and never gives up on his players. In my two seasons out,

“Tony was consistent in getting me back to the game, his constant encouragement and motivation made my return possible.”

Tony will use his 500th game in charge on November 20 (kick-off 2pm) to raise awareness of breast and ovarian cancer, with funds raised through a tombola and food and refreshments going to the cause.