A junior football club says it faces an uncertain future if the pitches it plays on are sold.

Oakworth Junior Football Club fears Bradford council will sell the Bronte Middle School fields in its education shake-up. The school is closing, but the future of the buildings and pitches is uncertain.

Last week we reported that Cross Roads Cricket Club, which also uses the fields, is worried. Other clubs use the pitches too.

Oakworth FC rents three pitches from the school and says there are few of comparable quality in the area. Secret-ary Richard Hewitt says: "If we lose these pitches the only decent ones left are at Marley playing fields. Two pub teams use the pitches at Bronte and they are going to need to find pitches as well, so it is going to be very difficult for all of us to find somewhere new.

"The club has just returned from a trip to Holland where facilities put ours to shame."

The club was formed eight years ago. Despite having a small catchment area it has grown to be one of the largest junior football clubs in the area with a membership of more than 250 boys. Club members are now hoping to video Sunday-morning matches played at Bronte, which they will send to David Mellor, the head of the government's football task force.

The issue will also be discussed at a public meeting at the school on Thursday at 7.30pm, which will be attended by local councillors.

Bradford council leisure chief Barry Thorne says: "The decision we have taken is to try and retain the playing areas for leisure and education. I have been in touch with several members of sporting clubs on the basis that I think the playing fields should be saved."

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