THE man who helped to establish junior football in Barnard Castle has stood down from the club’s committee after 35 years.
Pat Estall was general secretary of the town’s YMCA when teenage pals Mark Carter and Sean Stubley suggested starting up a team – and in the 1984/85 season Barnard Castle Tornadoes were formed.
The junior set up then amalgamated with the town's senior team to become part of Barnard Castle FC.
“Mark and Sean were outside The Witham saying they were bored and wanted to have football team,” recalled Mr Estall. “I said if they got a team together, I would do all of the administration. At the time there was no junior football in Barnard Castle.”
A reception to honour Mr Estall's efforts with the club was held at Barnard Castle Cricket Club on Sunday.
Among the guests was Mr Carter, who said: “Everyone got behind it. The whole town seemed to rally round.
“We had nothing and went into the shops to ask for raffle prizes to raise a bit of money and they were brilliant.”
As interest in the football team increased, a link was established with a junior club in Germany in the late 1980s.
This led to a successful exchange programme which lasted 23 years, with the clubs taking it in turn to host each other’s teams.
At the club’s peak, Barnard Castle FC boasted nine junior teams plus the senior XI.
Following the senior team's merger with Bowes FC at the beginning of last season, nine junior teams from U7 upwards continue to sport the town’s colours.
“We mainly played at Tensfield first of all, then we managed to get a lease to play on the Green Lane pitches,” said Mr Estall. The teams play in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance. Mr Estall, 75, was presented with a special cake and gifts at the reception, which also boasted a display of photos and other memorabilia from the club’s history.
He said he had “absolutely loved” being involved with the club.
“It is in very good health at the moment,” he added.
“In all the years I have been involved, we have had fantastic people as managers, volunteers and officials. They have been superb. They have been the backbone of it. If we did not have them the club would not survive.
“It's been an absolute pleasure to be involved.”
While stepping down from the football club, Mr Estall continues to be involved in many other organisations.
He is a volunteer with the Medaille Trust, which supports victims of human trafficking and slavery and maintains a network of safe houses across the country.
Mr Estall gives talks on behalf of the organisation to raise awareness of the work the trust undertakes as well as helping to raise money to maintain the safe houses.
Closer to home, he is chairman of Startforth Parish Council, helps with the community centre – formerly the village school – and is involved with Startforth parish church.
