MEMORIES of Halesowen Town’s famous FA Trophy victory at Barnet only served to emphasise how much Yeltz chairperson Karen Brookes is missing the thrill of live football.

It is just over a year since the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central outfit stunned their National League opponents to progress into the last four for the first time in the club’s history.

Within a matter of weeks, however, dreams of a Yeltz invasion of Wembley Way were put on hold amid the first national lockdown.

The semi-final was postponed and later played in September – with the Yeltz beaten 2-1 by Concord Rangers – while the league season was declared null and void, denying the then-leaders the chance to complete promotion.

Brookes is more philosophical about the curtailment of this campaign, in which her side have played only seven league games, and is now looking to the future as she and the sizeable Town support eagerly await the resumption of a matchday routine.

“It sounds twee but it’s a family and you miss seeing these individuals,” said Brookes.

“Football has been part of my life since I was a little girl. My dad was a professional footballer, and I’m usually at a football match several times a week – whether it’s Halesowen, West Brom or my husband’s team, Everton. When it’s gone, it leaves a huge hole.

“People have been tweeting pictures from Barnet, when we got through to the (FA Trophy) semi-finals, and you absolutely miss it.

“Since then and throughout the past year, I have realised just how important local sport is to individuals.

“The ability to get out and support your team – the benefit that brings to people’s mental health cannot be underestimated. It’s a great release.

“To spend time with your friends supporting your team, whether that’s in the Premier League or Step 6, is so important.”

Halesowen are one of 228 clubs across the Trident Leagues being supported by Pitching In, a multi-million-pound grassroots sport investment programme established by Ladbrokes, with the support of its owner Entain.

In addition to financial support, the initiative places a focus on the importance of community initiatives and from collections for the Black Country Food Bank to virtual fundraising events, the Yeltz have remained active.

“Our fans are absolutely brilliant and we couldn’t ask for better,” said Brookes, who took over as chairperson in 2017.

“To have this role is an honour – especially seeing how much it means to my dad, who has been involved here for 27 years and is now our president.

“Halesowen Town is a really big club that has been in the doldrums for a long time but we have aspirations to go higher and develop the ground.

“It’s fantastic to be associated with something that has been at the heart of its community since 1873.

“The past year has been tough but we are a well-run club and we do things professionally. This club has been around for a long time and I’d like it to be around for a whole lot longer.”

Ladbrokes, with the support of its owner Entain, has launched a multi-million pound investment programme, Pitching In, designed to support and promote grassroots sports. The programme includes a flagship partnership with The Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Leagues - collectively known as The Trident League, as well as a partnership with the UK sports charity SportsAid. For more details see: https://entaingroup.com/sustainability/pitching-in/