All Star team helps to raise over £2,000 for young footballers

A GROUP of kind-hearted businessmen have raised over £2,000 and counting for the schoolboy and youth development set up at Hinckley’s Leicester Road FC.

The ‘super sixteen’ all donated monies that will go towards much needed academy equipment as part of a football fundraiser at the Leicester Road stadium against established veterans team, Burbage Old Boys.

The teams were locked 2-2 at full time after a highly-entertaining, end-to-end game (scorers for LRFC were Damon Hill and Jonathan Wayne) but it was the Hinckley team who came out on top in the penalty shoot out to end the funfilled day on a high note.

Neil Higgott of The Kitchen & Bedroom Furniture Store on Southfield Road said: “It was a cracking day, well organised for us old boys to roll back the years and play on a fantastic pitch with a few old team mates. We’re really pleased to have raised a few quid to give local youngsters a great football education within the renowned Leicester Road FC development set up.”

Andy Armstrong of Armstrong Electrical on Hinckley Road says: ““That’s a big, quality pitch when you’re 50-years-ofage, but it was a great day for a very good cause and as they plan to do it again next year I will make sure I’m a bit fitter.”

Event organiser Steve Ward, head of academy recruitment for LRFC, adds: “I’m extremely pleased with the great turnout and generosity of the Hinckley businessmen who dug deep – physically as well as financially - to support our youth development lads. A big thank you also goes out to Burbage Old Boys Vets for chipping in some money too and making it a really enjoyable game on the day.

“Most of the All Stars have played before and have lads learning the game now, so they really appreciate our successful policy of promoting homegrown youngsters through the U14, 15 and 16 schoolboy development squads, into our U18s youth development team, then up to the senior first team squad or beyond. We’re also running an U13 team this coming season for the first time and looking for more FA qualified coaches, across all the development age groups, who want to be part of a more professional set up that really fosters learning, challenges, development and enjoyment.”

Both coaches and young players wishing to join LRFC should email stephen.ward@lr-fc.co.uk with their details in the first instance.

Five companies who donated £250 each, Armstrong Electrical and The Kitchen & Bedroom Furniture Store, plus D Worthington Roofing, M Clarke Plumbing and DSH Motors, were rewarded for their generosity with a pitch side advertising board at the Leicester Road FC stadium for the coming 2017-2018 season.

Leicester Road FC are also now reserving places in their annual Shirt Draw, whereby for just £395 plus VAT the lucky winner will have their business name/ logo on the first team’s shirts next season, as well as two season tickets and a pitch side advertising board.

The ‘shirt draw’ takes place on the evening of Friday July 28 at Leicester Road’s stadium in Hinckley (LE10 3DR) but to secure your place in the draw contact LRFC commercial director Paul Moss on 07966 387243 or email him at paul.moss@lr-fc.co.uk