Emley AFC’s partnership scheme continues to flourish as ambitious Junior Football Club Sitlington becomes the 11th club to forge a link with the Pewits.

Sitlington JFC is a newly established junior football team based in Netherton, Wakefield. Founded earlier this year they are really passionate about bringing football back to the Netherton area and providing equal opportunities for all. The team were our mascots at our recent game at home vs Garforth Town.

Here at Emley AFC we have built a strong academy with U18 and U23 sides to develop local players. The partnership will provide a platform for talented Sitlington JFC players to try and progress to the Emley Academy and, perhaps, beyond into the first team.

Emley will also be able to advise and support Sitlington as they make their way up the junior football pyramid.

Emley AFC chairman Andrew Painten commented on the partnership by saying: “We are delighted to be linking up with Sitlington, they are a brand new junior football club who are trying to bring something exciting and fresh for children in the Netherton area.

“At Emley we have a big focus on football being a game for all. We are a well run family club who supports and encourages young people to enjoy and succeed in sport. We do this through our brilliant academy and we look forward to helping Sitlington develop as a football club and giving their talented juniors a pathway into academy football.”

Sitlington JFC manager Lee Battye also commented on the partnership, he said: “I created the club at the back end of 2023 going into this year. I've got an 8 year old lad who started playing football and I've got right into wanting to coach junior football and develop children and progress them in the sport.

“I believe grassroots football should be an equal opportunities environment where favouritism isn't a thing and so that's why I created the club.

“The people of Netherton have got right behind me and we've already got four teams up and running. An U7’s, 8's, 9's and 10's side.

“I've got the parish council on board with me and we'll be using the local school's playing fields for games. I've already got sponsors for the kits. I've got a treasurer in place and a welfare officer too. So I'm really on the ball with it.”

On the partnership with Emley and how that came about Lee explained: “I wanted some kind of exposure for the club. I met Andrew from Emley and we had a chat, we share the same philosophy when it comes to junior football and we got on really well and I think it's something that we’ll both benefit from.

“Having that support from a semi-professional football outfit is massive. It gives those youth players that opportunity to go to games and support Emley and aspire to play at that level.

“It was a no brainer for me. I think it's such a fantastic opportunity and I'm really happy that it's been presented to me to be honest.”

Sitlington joins Emley AFC’s existing partners Yorkshire RTC, Thornes Juniors, Shepley FC, Altofts AFC, Skelmanthorpe FC, Skelmanthorpe Juniors, Newsome FC, West Bretton, Wooldale Wanderers and Dewsbury Moor.

The tie-ups are aimed at providing support for and amongst the partner clubs in whatever areas are required to meet their objectives.

There are limited opportunities remaining for mascot opportunities this season, if your junior club is interested please get in touch.

2025 Mascot dates remaining are 18 January, 22 February and 22 March

For more information about how your club could be a club partner or participate in a mascot experience, please email office@emleyafc.co.uk