SHADOW Minister of Sport Stephanie Peacock MP visited Ilkley Town FC over the Easter weekend along with Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Ilkley John Grogan and town Mayor Karl Milner. They met club manager, Sam Dexter, club captain Harry Brown and club secretary Billy Hutchinson.

John Grogan said: "We were all impressed to hear about the club’s contribution to the social economy of the town which a recent study calculated is worth over £2 million a year. One hundred and forty people volunteer at Ilkley Town, which in the last few years has developed very successful teams for women and girls. All told as the club celebrates its 75th anniversary nearly a 1000 people play football each year from the under fives right up to semi pro level.

"The Mayor and I then watched Ilkley’s men beat Ashton Athletic 2-1 with a last minute bullet header proving the difference. The result and the subsequent draw at Nelson on Easter Monday keeps Ilkley Town very much in the shake up for the end of season play offs. Win promotion and in future seasons they get to enter the preliminary round of the FA Cup."