A grassroots footballer has been recognised for his commitment to his local club.
Jonny Coombs was presented with his club cap and inducted into the Bedale AFC Hall of Fame at the weekend.
He joins club legends Mark Middleton, Dave Waring, Adrian Grayson, Andrew Partridge, Martyn Coombs, Peter Grainger, Stephen Anderson, Steve Reed, Nigel Walker, Clive Layfield, Kevin Forbes, Adam Bramley, Norman Banthorpe, Jonny Morris, Matthew Allison, David Proud, Alan Pattison and Stevie Dawson to have been recognised.
The Hall of Fame is for retired players who have served the club with distinction over many years and who may have held positions of responsibility in the club.
The threshold for players to be nominated for consideration, will usually be a period of at least 15 continuous seasons and/or 500 games for the club.
Jonny began playing for Bedale in 1996 and played in the same team as his dad Martyn Coombs, who presented his son with the cap, for a few seasons and has represented the town team every year until his retirement in May 2023.
Coombs has picked up many awards, cups, and championships over the last 28 years but last season, he captained Bedale to a unique treble.
His team won the Heck Harrogate & District Football League Jan Sinker Division 1 Championship, the Heck Harrogate & District Football League Intermediate Cup and the Heck Harrogate & District Football League Supplementary Cup.
Jonny Coombs said: “At 42 years of age and with two small children at home, I felt the time was right to hang up my boots after a remarkable season, which saw us win the treble for the first time.
“If anyone is ever to go out on a high, that was the time.
“I can’t believe where the years have gone but my abiding memory of playing for Bedale has been the wonderful teammates I have as the pleasure to play with and the laughs we have had along the way.”
For the forthcoming 2023-2024 season, the club are keen to re-form Bedale Reserves playing on a Saturday afternoon in the Heck Harrogate League, but they require a management team with the same club values and determination to run the side.
Ideally, they would love this team to be a development side comprising up-and-coming youngsters over 16, who are looking to take their first steps in the adult game.
Martyn Coombs said: “The club is quite flexible regarding Saturday or Sunday leagues to play in and boast the best facilities in the region and the best pitch and would love to be able to share this, with a newly formed reserve team.”
If anyone is interested in supporting the club next season, please contact the chairman/treasurer Martyn Coombs by email martync55@gmail.com or calling 07885 228097.
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