BRADFORD'S footballing future is booming at a local club which has won support from two soccer legends as it raises cash to help create the city's next young stars.

Salts Football Club and Salts Juniors Football Club desperately need money for new changing rooms as part of a £50,000 facelift at the Hirst Lane playing fields, Saltaire.

More than £28,000 has been raised so far and two new full-sized pitches have already been laid at Salts.

The changing rooms are the next stage in a general overhaul of amenities which will include new floodlighting.

And former England captain Steven Gerrard and his international and Liverpool team mate Jamie Carragher have donated signed Liverpool shirts to Salts for them to raffle for charity.

Carragher provided the shirts through his 23 Foundation, which gives youngsters the chance to fulfil their dreams through local charities, clubs and community initiatives.

Baildon-based Mike Lepic is chairman of the 23 Foundation and runs it together with his wife Gayner and in conjunction with the Carragher family, who they have known for many years.

"I was asked to help because I live locally and the charity was happy to get involved.

"Salts have got clear targets and so far we've already donated shirts and items for auction worth more than £4,000," said Mr Lepic, who met his wife after helping rescue her from the Bradford City fire 30 years ago.

"I was pulling people over a wall away from the fire and then two weeks later a woman I didn't recognise came up to me and said 'you're the bloke in the blue leather jacket who saved my life,' said IT training firm boss Mr Lepic.

Salts committee member Darryl Shears said everyone from youngsters to seniors were buzzing with excitement over Bradford's FA Cup run.

"I coach the U15s team and at least half turn up for training in their Bradford City kits - it's created real excitement."

Mr Shears said he had approached Mr Lepic though a friend and thanked him for the 23 Foundation's help.

" The Foundation was very generous last year when they donated signed Carragher, Gerrard and Suarez shirts.

"Our final push on funding will go towards the floodlight scheme, new goalposts and railings for the pitches. The pitches will be ready for next season and we are looking to hold an opening ceremony on the August 1, 2015," Mr Shears said.

The main fundraiser is a buy-a-brick scheme, in which people pay £10 to buy a virtual brick.

When the changing rooms are built, a poster showing all the donated "bricks" will be erected and more details can be found at www.saltsjuniors.co.uk.

Salts Juniors were formed in 1991 with a small group of players but they now have over 500, many of whom are fans of Bradford City, Leeds United or Liverpool.

Players can start with the club at four years old – and Salts not only run junior teams but also under-21, senior and veterans teams.