Junior Football Club Secures Future at Teesside Airport

A popular football club with 17 youth teams to its name has secured its future at its Teesside Airport home after securing a five-year lease.

Middleton Rangers FC has signed the agreement with Teesside Airport to keep football played at its home ground at the rear of the former St George Hotel.

The community club, which has its roots in Middleton St George, has almost 200 members and 17 boys and girls junior football teams.

Football has been played at the site for as long as Teesside Airport has existed.

North Korea trained on the ground prior to their famous upset victory over Italy at Middlesbrough’s Ayresome Park in the 1966 World Cup.

Club Chairman David Wase said the agreement was a major milestone for the club.

He added: “This is absolutely huge for the future of our club. Securing this agreement doesn’t just help us today – it protects and strengthens our facilities for years to come.

“It means we can now unlock significant grant funding, giving us the opportunity to develop the site properly, improve the pitches, enhance security, and invest in the equipment our players deserve.

“This is a real step forward in safeguarding the long‑term home of our club. The airport has been excellent throughout the process and incredibly supportive. We couldn’t have asked for better partners.”

The club celebrated its Presentation Day on Saturday, 20 June, with a packed attendance.

Phil Forster, Managing Director of Teesside Airport, said: “It’s brilliant we’ve been able to secure this agreement with the club to have the next generation of our region’s football talent playing on site.

“We want to support our local community – the airport wouldn’t survive without it. The football club is a big part of Middleton St George and plays a vital role in bringing people together, developing young talent and creating a real sense of pride in the area.

“We’re proud to play our part in supporting that, and we look forward to seeing them continue to thrive and play here for many years to come.”