A GRASSROOTS football league is urging teams to join after getting the go-ahead to resume in Autumn.

The Hambleton and Richmondshire Junior Football League is appealing for clubs to register teams in advance of a new season starting in September.

The league held an annual general meeting via video on July 14, with 21 representatives attending from participating clubs here they heard the North Riding Football Association said grassroots football could resume.

The main themes to emerge at the meeting were the need to attract teams and to make a statement against racism.

Last year, the H&R junior football league had 56 teams, with an estimated 750 children playing football across seven age bands from under-7s to under-13s. This season there will also be an under-14s league.

The league's chairman, David Williams, from Reeth, said: “In view of the coronavirus, we agreed to extend the period for teams to affiliate to the league for next season until August 16.

"Our league serves roughly that part of North Yorkshire west of the A19 for boys and girls up to 13, but we also welcome teams from Darlington.”

In support of the Black Lives Matter campaign, he added: “Football generally, and certainly our league, has no place whatever for racism. I would like to see more children from ethnic minorities playing and see their parents taking a role in running the league.”