Rothwell Juniors FC, where it all began....

The club was formed in 1976 by Ron Whiteley General Manager/Secretary and Roy Cripps who was Treasurer.

4 teams were run that season at under11’s under 12’s, under 13’s and under 15’s.

These teams were managed by J Procter u11’s, S Goodison u12’s R Whelan u13’s and R Whiteley u15’s.

The teams were very successful in their first season 1976/77 the under 11’s winning the league, the Cleary Trophy, the Lion Trophy and the Challenge Shield. The u12’s were Leeds Minor League Champions, the u13’s were runners up in the Garforth League, and winners of the Committee Cup and the u15’s runners up in the League and League Cup and winners of the Bryant Trophy and the Challenge Shield.

Ron Whiteley was very proud of all the lads in the following season 1977/78 they had 5 teams representing Rothwell Juniors FC. The highlight of that season was the u16’s, managed by Ron Whiteley, who went on to win the Leeds Minor Cup at Elland Road beating Yorkshire Amateurs 3-0. In 1981 the under 16’s were beaten finalists again played at Elland Road.

Wayne Goodison was the first junior’s player to turn professional with Barnsley FC. This was soon to be followed later with Alan Smith and Gareth Evans who went on to represent Leeds United Alan now plays at Newcastle, sadly injury cut short Gareth’s career.

Ron Whiteley went on to serve the Juniors as Club General Manager/Secretary until the end of 1994/95 season and his roll was then taken over by Dave Pearson who has been involved with the club since 1982 and at that time was running the u10’s and u16’s and in 1996 he went on to set up the Mini Soccer School for Rothwell Juniors boys and girls.

Dave is still General Manager today and involved with developing the girls section along with is wife Kathy who is now the Girls Secretary.