ONE of Keighley's most popular junior football clubs over the last three decades will officially fold next week.

Long Lee Juniors was formed in 1989 and at its peak had more than 200 players and 15 teams through all age groups.

It provided a launchpad for professional players Matty Pearson, who is at Accrington Stanley, and Reece Webb-Foster, who is at Bradford City.

But dwindling numbers over the last few years has led to club officials deciding to formally close the club, which will take place at their last annual meeting at The Dickie Bird pub in Long Lee this coming Tuesday (7pm).

Chairman Charlie Wysocki expressed his sadness at the end of an era, which also saw a successful senior set-up evolve from the juniors, with Long Lee rising through the Craven League and winning silverware in the West Riding County Amateur League before stopping in 2011.

Wysocki said: "We weren’t a one-season wonder. It has been a proper club set up over 20 years. It’s a shame, it was one of the main junior clubs in Keighley along with Oakworth Juniors and Keighley Shamrocks, and then you had Silsden and Bingley going a bit further afield.

"It was fantastic. You used to turn up and you couldn’t park – there were cars there from 9am to 2pm. It was absolutely buzzing. You'd get a lot of kids there, not just from the Long Lee area but other school kids."

The club was hindered after losing its base at Long Lee School two seasons ago.

It did not run a team this season, their under-18s being the last side to compete in Long Lee colours before reaching the junior age limit the previous campaign.

Hopes that new teams could be set up have not materialised, with Wysocki admitting it was difficult trying to get commitment from potential managers.

He said: "You’re asking for volunteers but you've got to have a level one coaching qualification, which might be over four weekends and you're asking people to take up their holidays and free time.

"Parents will help out but they don’t necessarily want to get into football coaching in a big way but the FA say this is the route you have to go down. It means training courses and money."

Asked if he felt the club could be revived in the future, Wysocki admitted: "I suspect not unless there is some major change in terms of funding. If there would be money available from the FA to create a part-time paid position then I think people would come forward.

"I know one or two clubs who have funding where they have someone doing the fund-raising. It would need a major shift."

With so many players and managers having been involved over the years, the club are hoping some will be able to attend Tuesday's final meeting.