Founders ‘so unbelievably proud’ to realise an ambition held for 50 years
Hessle Rangers founders Peter and Janet Bilsdon carried out the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bilsdon Park, along with former Hessle Rangers player and ex-Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Southampton footballer, David Prutton(Image: Lucy Shaw)
A couple who launched a football club when their son found himself without a team to join were invited to “do the honours” at the opening of striking new facilities for local players. For Peter and Janet Bilsdon, it was a long-held dream to have a proper clubhouse for Hessle Rangers.
Fifty years since they formed the club, they carried out the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bilsdon Park, along with former Hessle Rangers player and ex-Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Southampton footballer, David Prutton. Hessle Rangers secretary Rick Skelton said: “Janet and Peter were so unbelievably proud – it’s been their ambition for 50 years to have somewhere like this, to establish a home for Hessle and to be able to have the facilities we have now got, with our own pitches, a secure site and now this clubhouse with proper changing facilities, a kitchen and space for social events.”
For Hessle Rangers, formed in 1976, it is a “dream come true”, said Rick. The club, now running 48 teams, 13 of which next season will be junior girls’ sides, had seen a big drive and some “serious fundraising” to bring the £650k project to fruition.
“The club itself, through tournaments, raffles, sponsored walks and so on has raised over £100k as its contribution; £249k has come from the Football Federation and £170k from council commuted sums, and the rest has come from other fundraising efforts – all of the teams have introduced their own activities.”
Rick, who has been with the club for 20 years, said that in 2016, it acquired Hessle High School’s lower school site and had “no facilities other than a temporary toilet block”. He said: “Before, all our facilities were hired and our teams were dotted all over the place.
“This is really fantastic. It’s a big part of making Hessle Rangers a better club, having somewhere for players to go after games and be with their mates, having something to eat.”
In a post about the official opening on Facebook, Hessle Rangers thanked contractor Cambridge HOK and “all of the fantastic companies who worked on the building on their behalf and architect David Hall”. The post said: “This could not have been achieved without the support and funding received from the Football Foundation, especially Graham, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, particularly Lea Anne and Rob, the East Riding County FA, through Rachel, the Stadium Trust, Allam In The Community, Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust and, vitally, the coaches, players and parents of Hessle Rangers who raised a club contribution of well over £100,000.
“Lastly, the build was overseen, every brick, block and cable, by our chairman, Mark Kelsey. A Hessle Rangers legend. We love you, buddy. We are home.” The post was met with messages of congratulations.
They included one that said: “What an achievement! Well done everyone who has been involved and contributed. Can’t congratulate Pete and Janet enough, a proper football couple who live and breathe Hessle Rangers.”
Another said: “Fantastic, congratulations to all at the club but especially to Pete and Janet for your incredible and total dedication and endeavour to get to this point – there can be no doubt that it is down to your vision and hard work over the years that has brought the club to reach this tremendous achievement. You deserve all the accolades, so enjoy – and keep going.”
A further response said: “Well done and thank you for everything when I was a young lad. I remember it well. A football club gives the lads more than just the game.”
One person commented: “Outstanding achievement and fully deserved for a fantastic football club! Well done to everyone involved.”
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