Pontefract Collieries have announced that Pat Monaghan is the new chairman of the Toolstation NCEL Division One club.

He takes over from Guy Nottingham who the club have thanked for the time and energy he gave to the Colls.

Monaghan, who played in goal for the club 46 years ago and was awarded life membership in 2012, comes with a wealth of experience in local football.

He has dedicated most of his life to grassroots football, including 46 years to the Castleford and District Sunday League FA where he is currently the league secretary and has been in the role for the past eighteen years, having previously been a player, referee and management board member.

He is also a life member of the league, receiving awards for his contribution to grassroots football and the league from Wakefield District Council, West Riding County FA and, in 2009, he was awarded recognition for his outstanding contribution to local football from the Lord Lieutenant and he accepted an invitation to Buckingham Palace.

Monaghan has overcome illness and deals with a disability to continue to serve local football and the league, and he is currently working with and taking on the license to refurbish local changing rooms in the area, the pilot being the Barrack.

His idea is that, by "Working Together", council open space changing rooms can be made fit for future generations with the professional skills of members of the league, with funding from the council and, hopefully, local companies and businesses.

He has fought for years to upgrade changing rooms and this pilot could snowball across the Wakefield district.

Monaghan takes the role of chairman in what is to be the most exciting time for the club as they negotiate and plan their new facility and he will volunteer his time when he can in between his passion for the league.