TV Harrison sports ground: Blue plaque recognition for Leeds field of dreams
It's the field of dreams which became a breeding ground for a generation of footballers who went on to make the grade with Leeds United and other clubs.
Wortley's TV Harrison sports ground off Oldfield Lane was once home for schools football across the city.
Footballers who graced the turf before going on to make pro included Paul Reaney, Brian Deane, Noel Whelan, Stuart McCall, Paul Madeley, David Batty, Noel Whelan, Brian Deane, Alan Smith and Jonny Howson.
Sport has taken place on this site since at least the 1850s, when it was privately owned by the Ingham family. In 1928, its future was under threat when the land was put up for sale to developers. Local headteacher Tom Vernon Harrison, a passionate supporter of school sport, stepped in.
With two colleagues and the backing of your Yorkshire Evening Post, he launched a city-wide fundraising appeal. In just four months, donations poured in from across Leeds, raising the equivalent of £110,000 in today’s money. The ground was secured, with covenants written into the deeds to protect it for the use of Leeds schoolchildren forever. Harrison died the following year, and the ground was renamed in his honour.
The site was abandoned in 2002 and became overgrown. In 2019, plans for housing development sparked a determined campaign by local residents, who cleared the ground, brought it back into use, and fought four successful High Court cases. Their efforts secured “Asset of Community Value” status, ensuring vital protection.
Today, the ground enters a new chapter. Leeds United has purchased the site for junior, women’s, and community football. Plans are underway for modern facilities, an all-weather pitch, and a new community building.
And now ‘Wortley Wembley’ as it is affectionately known is to receive a Leeds Civic Trust blue plaque honouring Tom Vernon Harrison’s vision and the resilience of the local community, whose determination has ensured the ground remains a place of sport and opportunity for generations to come.
It was unveiled on Saturday, September 6, with familiar faces from the footballing world as well as speakers Mark Sewards and Michael Meadowcroft, and representatives of Leeds United and the Leeds Civic Trust.
Leeds Civic Trust director, Martin Hamilton, said: “The story of this plaque shows that local sports facilities are hard to establish and even harder to retain. Hats off to Mr Harrison who saved this long established facility in the 1920s and to campaigners more recently who have secured its long term future”
Michael Meadowcroft from the TV Harrison Sports Ground Association, said: “This ceremony marks a key point in the six and a half years of local campaigning to prevent the charity charged with protecting the ground and the Leeds City Council building on an historic sports ground. Quite apart from the heavy task of clearing the football pitch and maintaining it for regular matches, it also took four successful actions in the High Court at great financial risk to this voluntary body. The key involvement of Leeds United in taking over the ground has been crucial and has saved us from a potential fifth legal action.
He added: “The Blue Plaque not only pays tribute to Tom Vernon Harrison and the history of the ground but also demonstrates the power of united community action. Our association now looks forward to working with LUFC in making the ground a vibrant successful sports facility for local children and youths.”
Leeds Civic Trust promotes the improvements of Leeds in the spheres of planning, architecture, heritage and city amenities and is responsible for the blue plaque scheme in the city.
Since 1987 the Trust has unveiled more than 200 plaques across the district celebrating people, events and buildings that have made a significant contribution to the city of Leeds. The TV Harrison sports ground plaque will be the 203rd.