A DETERMINED York man who has helped build a “respected” junior football club in the city with more than 200 players has been nominated for a Community Pride Award.

Phil Sanderson, of Queenswood Grove, Acomb, and a group of friends first set up Hamilton Panthers FC in 1988.

The 61-year-old is the only co-founder still involved with the club, and is currently its secretary.

The Panthers, based at the Little Knavesmire, in South Bank, has continued to grow over the years, and now has 14 teams.

Last year, it moved into a new, purpose-built clubhouse with changing rooms, which cost about £730,000.

Phil has been nominated for a Community Pride Sporting Hero award by his wife Sally.

She said: “Twenty-nine-years ago Phil had a vision and now that vision has finally been realised.

“’Dad I want to play football’ were the words that he heard from our eldest son Paul. And that’s where Phil’s dreams started. An informal meeting at the Puss ‘N’ Boots pub [in Acomb] gave birth to the Hamilton Panthers we know today.”

The Panthers started playing on Hob Moor Primary School’s field then moved to various school sites but never had a home of its own.

In 1998, the club moved down to the Little Knavesmire to the old Observatory building and public toilets. When the lease with City of York Council was signed in the presence of The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, the club thought it had found its home.

However, as the premises declined so did the members and number of teams. But Phil never gave up, Sally added.

Weeks and years of talks and meetings with City of York Council finally paid off when in November 2016 Hamilton Panthers moved into a new clubhouse.

Sally said: “Phil has dedicated his life to making a permanent home for Hamilton Panthers. A home that all the children who play for and all the adults who support Hamilton Panthers could be proud of. And today not only do we recognise that Hamilton Panthers have a home, but so has Phil.

“I feel so proud of my husband for the hard work and determination he has endured to realise his dream.”

Phil said: “It has been a journey. I’ve made so many friends and got to know so many people. We’ve had so many successful teams that have won things. We have become a respected football club in York.”

The Community Pride Awards are run by The Press in partnership with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is York-based healthcare organisation Benenden. Entries can be submitted to York Community Pride Awards, The Press, 84-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN. You can also nominate online at yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride.