A VERY WARM STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS

TO YOU!   LEEK TOWN JUNIOR BLUES SAY LEEK is a small market town (pop. 20,000), situated in the North Staffordshire Moorlands, 18km NE of Stoke –On– Trent and the "Potteries", close to the source of the River Churnet. Much of the town stands at or over the 600ft contour, and it is adjacent to the Peak District National Park. Leek, often described as the "Queen of the Moorlands", is now the administrative centre for the Staffordshire Moorlands District, although it has its own town council (bless'em) to look after local matters. LEEK has long been linked with the Textile Industry, but recent years has seen a severe decline in British Textiles and the largest employer in the area is now a Building Society – the Britannia. Other notable employers are Kerrygold, Alton Towers, and a few chemical factories. Supermarkets would probably be next on the list, of which there are about 1,259, with a further 177 planned for next year! The next largest business in Leek is probably the "Antique" business, and there are almost as many antique shops as there are supermarkets!

The town of Leek has boasted (usually very quietly) a football team from as far back as 1876, although it is only since the end of World War II that Leek Town FC evolved as a serious outfit. Over the years, Leek Town FC have greatly lacked support, both financial and on the terraces. However, the highlight in their history has to be the FA Trophy Final at Wembley in 1990, when around 8,000 "loyal" (where are they now?) fans went along to support their heroes. Leek Town FC spent two seasons in the Conference, until relegation in 1998/1999 saw them back in the Unibond Premier League. Junior Blues were formed in 1998 as the Leek Town U10's (now the U12's), and they played their first season in the Leek Ladsanddads U11 League. Although they played against teams who were a year older than themselves, they finished the season joint top, only to lose out in a play off against a team that they had already beaten three times. In the League Cup Final, they lost on penalties, after extra time, against a side made up entirely of older boys. Season 1999/2000 saw them in the more competitive "Cash 4 Cheques" Cheadle & District Junior league, where they acquitted themselves very well. At the end of their first season, they were the League Champions, they won the Challenge Cup and also the League Cup. TREBLE WINNERS IN THEIR FIRST SEASON!