Tesco

Subterms

    More stories

    • 313 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Jose Mourinho told me I’d work in Tesco in shock rollicking after match I didn’t play in – I went on to play for England

      by

      CARLTON COLE revealed how Jose Mourinho told him he would work in Tesco after a match he did not even play in. The former Chelsea boy went on to prove The Special One wrong and ended up playing for England.
      Carlton Cole revealed how Jose Mourinho told him he would work at ‘Tesco’Credit: Getty
      Cole opened up about his frosty relationship with MourinhoCredit: Getty
      The ex-Chelsea striker went on to play for EnglandCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Cole, 40, has opened up about a brutal rollicking from Mourinho after a defeat he didn’t even play in.
      The ex-Blues star told Des Kelly on Hayters TV’s new Football Lives podcast: “We always had a meeting before we went out to train.
      “But this one particular meeting wasn’t great for me. I just went in. I knew I was good that weekend, I hadn’t gone out and done anything untoward.
      “There’s this whole conversation of what happened at the game the day before usually – that was non-existent! 
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “It was all about Carlton Cole not being good enough, and his performance, and ‘you’re going to work in Tesco if you don’t get your finger out’.
      “I don’t know why I said Tesco, it might have been Sainsbury’s, there was no Co-op back then.
      “Definitely not Waitrose, that was too much glam! Definitely not M&S, that was too much. There were no Aldis back then.
      “It was a shock. It was just on me. He was just caning me for at least 10 minutes.
      Most read in Football
      “I was just like, ‘wow, this is a bit much,’ because I wasn’t even involved in the squad! I didn’t even travel, so why am I involved in this conversation?
      Jose Mourinho opens up on Cristiano Ronaldo, Man Utd, Chelsea and job offers in interview with Rio Ferdinand
      “‘Talk to your players that you took! I always remember that. Even the other players were like, ‘wow, he is gunning for you.”
      ‘I hadn’t even done anything wrong!”
      Cole made nine Premier League appearances as Chelsea stormed to a second consecutive title in the 2005-06 season.
      Mourinho denied the star a chance to secure a Premier League medal that term as he only played one game from February to the end of April.
      Even though he played in the two games after they won the title, he fell a game short of a medal. 
      And when the Portuguese boss chucked one medal into the crowd Cole was prepared to jump and grab it.
      He continued: “That one he threw into the crowd, I saw it going in the crowd in slow motion, mate.
      “I was gonna be Michael Jordan and just jump and get that. I wanted to jump, I’d have jumped into the crowd and got that. 
      “I remember we were up at Newcastle for one of the last games. We’d won the league three games before or something like that.
      “And I was thinking, ‘Just give me one minute, two minutes, just give me something so I can get some times’.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “And I knew why he didn’t do it. He didn’t want me to be involved in that. I took it on the chin and I grew from it.”
      Cole would go on to join West Ham that summer and win seven caps for England. More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Enzo Fernandez ‘sends Crystal Palace defender to Sainsbury’s and Tesco’ as £107m Chelsea ace scores stunning goal

      by

      CHELSEA fans might normally want to keep quiet about shopping.At the very least, spending around £850million in three transfer windows to produce a mid-table Premier League team is nothing to shout about.

      Enzo Fernandez finally put grounded Daniel Munoz out of his agonyCredit: Alamy
      Fernandez roars his delight at his cheeky goalCredit: Getty
      So perhaps that’s why, in the words of one viewer, a Blues’ star instead dispatched a rival Crystal Palace player to the shops – with a delightful, delayed finish.
      “Enzo Fernandez just sent Munoz to Sainsbury’s and then to Tesco, what a goal,” posted one fan.
      First, Fernandez cut back to leave Munoz tumbling onto his backside.
      Then just as the Colombian scrambled up, the Argentine dummied to shoot – sending him to the ground once more. 
      READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
      It confirmed Chelsea’s 13th straight Prem victory over Palace.
      The Eagles had led through Jefferson Lerma’s stunning opener.
      But Conor Gallagher struck a double against his old loan club ahead of Fernandez’s cheeky 94th-minute clincher.
      The midfielder had Palace defender Daniel Munoz  sliding to the floor TWICE before firing home to in the 3-1 away win.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Chelsea’s costliest buy, £115m Moises Caicedo, again struggled to justify his place alongside their second most expensive – £107m Fernandez.
      But their fans lapped up the late treat from their World Cup winner, even if it was so painful for Munoz.
      Chelsea scouting Athletic Bilbao star with fans convinced ‘this will be the end of Mudryk or Sterling’
      “Let’s stand up for Enzo Fernandez,” taunted one viewer.
      “Enzo is in the form of his life,” claimed another – although some observers accused Chelsea of “over-celebrating” their late joy. More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Football clubs get £1,000 grant to help keep players on the pitch thanks to The Sun’s grant

      by

      FOOTBALL clubs across the country got an extra-special Christmas gift this year – a £1,000 grant to help keep their players on the pitch.The Sun has funded 150 clubs with the cash injection to make sure no child misses out on footie because finances are tight at home.
      Sevenoaks Powerchair Club gives teens and adults the chance to play football in adapted chairsCredit: Oliver Dixon
      Getting this grant to make sure our chairs’ batteries are powered properly is brilliant, said head coach AdamCredit: Oliver Dixon
      Our Footie For All campaign highlighted how kids were being forced to drop out of clubs because of the cost-of-living crisis.
      We then teamed up with Tesco Stronger Starts, which provides healthy food and activities for Children, to give away £150,000 to grassroots clubs across the country.
      We invited teams who work with kids under the age of 18 to apply for one of the 150 £1,000 grants.
      One very special team, who are celebrating being awarded a grant, is Sevenoaks Powerchair Club which gives teens and adults a chance to play the sport in specialist chairs.
      READ MORE ON FOOTIE FOR ALL
      Head coach Adam McEvoy, 36, said: “Our players have a high level of disability so can’t access any other form of football.
      “Getting this grant to make sure our chairs’ batteries are powered properly is brilliant. Each chair costs around £6,000 and we need them to last as long as possible, so our players don’t miss out.”
      The Kent-based team has 15 players, aged between 10 and 25, who spend their Sunday mornings enjoying their version of a kickabout.
      It also allows their parents a bit of respite from providing constant care, as they trust the coaches to look after their young ones.
      Most read in Football
      The team asks for a £15 contribution each month to help cover some of the sessions’ costs.
      “Football, in a way, is a by-product of what we do,” Adam said.
      “They love that when they come to football, they’re treated as a footballer. Nothing else matters for those few hours.
      “We see these kids grow into polite, confident young people. It gives them so much more than just a game.”
      Another club that has been awarded a grant is Coity Chiefs Girls FC in Coity, Bridgend, South Wales.
      Little Lionesses in Bridgend, WalesCredit: Adrian Sherratt
      Gornal Community Football ClubCredit: Supplied
      Under the guidance of LeeAnn Baker and her husband, the team has grown from 75 girls to 110 training every week.
      LeeAnn said: “We’re so grateful for the money because it means we can expand the pitch space we rent to make sure all the girls who want to play football can be involved.
      “Every week, we see the joy on the faces of all our players, who are having a chance to enjoy playing without getting comments from boys about how they shouldn’t play.
      “It’s such a supportive environment — when a player gets injured, the others rally round to help. It’s so important girls have a space to play and develop their talent.”
      In a bid to keep everyone involved, the club has a kit swap-shop, which keeps parents’ costs to a minimum as the girls grow.
      Each player pays £14 a month to cover some of the costs and receive top-flight training.
      Another girls’ team making sure women’s football has a bright future is Gornal Community Football club in the West Midlands. Coach Alan Moore, 62, has been running girls’ sessions for decades and is using our £1,000 grant to open up two new squads.
      He said: “The two new sessions are for girls who have completed the free FA wildcat session and want to start playing competitively.
      “It’s amazing to see their confidence grow — it’s so important girls have somewhere to play football.”
      The club started the girls’ team five years ago and it has proved incredibly popular, especially in the wake of the Lionesses’ success.
      The club, which has 18 teams of both genders, charges just £20 a month to play. If finances are tight, they allow kids to come for free.
      Alan said: “Thank you to The Sun and Tesco for helping us get two extra teams — it means 24 more girls are playing in a squad.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Christine Heffernan, Tesco group communications director, said: “It’s clear that football clubs up and down the country need the support more than ever, and that we’re reaching hundreds more children as a result of this funding.
      “The Tesco Stronger Starts and Footie For All partnership is getting children into doing what they love — playing footie more often.” More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      The South Tyneside girls’ club where Jill Scott’s football journey began – and future stars are getting their chance

      by

      WHEN youth worker Paul Smith founded a girls’ football team in South Tyneside in 1992, he little realised the small number who showed an interest would develop into a thriving club and produce two trophy-winning England players. When the FA took over the women’s game a year later, there were still just 183 teams around the country.
      Boldon Community Association Girls continually punches above its weight
      Today there are over 12,000 and the game is enjoying a boom, largely thanks to the success of the Lionesses and superstars like Manchester City captain Steph Houghton and former England midfielder Jill Scott.
      Amazingly, both Houghton and Scott were graduates of Boldon Community Association Girls in its early years.
      “There’s a lot of pride in Jill here and she’s definitely somebody for the girls to look up to and aspire to be,” says club treasurer Adam Kennedy. “We hope to produce more Jill Scotts.”
      Last year, the BBC took Scott back to the club that nurtured her. She told them, “Football was literally our life when we played here. I always class it as home.
      “I don’t think I’d have gone on to play for England without Paul. Grassroots football here gave me my happiest memories.”
      Boldon, a community club in a former mining area north of Sunderland (denoted by a colliery wheel on its crest), continually punches above its weight, regularly competing and winning in top-level competitions.
      Several of its girls’ team play in boys’ leagues; one girls’ team famously went undefeated all season.
      “There are not so many girls teams in the region, so the decision was made to enter some of the girls into the boys’ league, and they’ve gone from strength to strength ever since,” says Kennedy, an electrical technician.
      Most read in Football
      Parents do their best to fundraise, but having a big lump sum like that makes a huge difference
      “It’s made them a lot tougher and a lot more confident. The boys always know they’re in for a game with us.”
      Boldon has six teams through the age ranges, plus a women’s side.
      Last year, its U-10s applied for funds through the local Tesco Community Grants scheme.
      Working in partnership with charity Groundwork, the supermarket has awarded over £100million to more than 50,000 local projects through its funding programmes across the country, including 6,000 schools, over 2,000 sports teams and 2,300 other youth organisations.
      Customers can participate by voting in their local stores to support projects or even nominate them.
      An allocation of £1,000 to Boldon was used to buy training equipment.
      This helped set the team up for an impressive season in which it reached two national finals, including one played at St George’s Park, a match they only lost on penalties. They also reached the final of the National Futsal championship.
      £1,000 helped Boldon to buy training equipment
      “The money was vital. It allowed our coaches to carry out more technical training drills and refresh tired equipment,” says Kennedy.
      “Parents do their best to fundraise, but having a big lump sum like that makes a huge difference.”
      This summer Tesco launched a grant programme, Stronger Starts, committed to giving £5.3million to schools and children’s groups to fund healthy food and activities.
      “It’s clubs like Boldon who see first hand the difference these opportunities can make to young people’s lives when they’re moving, motivated and mentally energised,” says Christine Heffernan, Tesco group communications director.
      “That’s why it felt right to extend the reach of our Stronger Starts funding to grants to ensure any child can play football and take away the worry about paying for subs or kit.”
      The supermarket has also teamed up with The Sun’s Footie For All to help it find local clubs in need.
      The Sun launched the campaign in September after charity Sported revealed that a worrying 94 per cent of clubs nationwide are struggling. It also found that young players were dropping out because parents could not cover subs.
      “Obviously you can’t ignore the problem at a community-based club like ours,” says Kennedy.
      “We made a decision at the beginning of the season not to raise subs because of the cost of living.
      “We even made sure we spent the Tesco money at a local sports shop rather than with an online chain. We’re proud of the role we play in the community.”

      Stronger Starts is open to any local club or charitable scheme. Add your support by voting for local groups using the blue tokens in your Tesco branch.
      To find out more, head to tescoplc.com/strongerstarts More

    • 113 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Grassroots football scores £millions so any kid can play

      by

      THE NATION’S grassroots football clubs are the heartbeat of the game. They are also a vital part of every local community.But clubs are suffering. The cost of living crisis means there’s less and less money to go round.
      Grassroots football is the heart of the game
      Kit, equipment, league affiliation fees, match subs, referees – it all adds up.
      Supporters often go above and beyond to raise money.
      Tesco’s community grants have supported thousands of small community projects since 2016, including more than 6,000 schools, over 2,000 sports teams and 2,300 youth organisations.
      Programmes like Bags of Help, which used money raised from the carrier bag charge, have supported thousands of local projects and clubs like Mendip Broadwalk FC.
      Andy Williams of Bristol’s Mendip Broadwalk FC
      “Grants are massively important to little clubs like ours,” says Andy Williams, club secretary and president of Bristol-based Mendip Broadwalk FC. “Especially in a deprived area of Bristol, because you can’t keep going cap in hand to players and parents – they don’t have the money to spare.”
      This summer, Tesco launched its new grant programme Stronger Starts, which is committing a further £5.3million to schools and children’s groups to fund healthy food and activities this year.
      Tesco runs the scheme with the help of Groundwork, a charity that works with corporate businesses and the public sector to identify deserving community projects.
      “We’ve been working with Tesco for seven years now, making sure their commitment to communities reaches the people who need the help the most,” says Graham Duxbury, chief executive of Groundwork. 
      “We also have a network of local community workers across the country who are on hand to promote the Stronger Starts programme, to help groups who might be struggling to apply.”
      From his living room Andy Williams can see the junior team trophies of Mendip Broadwalk FC proudly on display in a family home on the street where he lives.
      “People ask me why I still do it after 20 years,” says 57-year-old Andy. “Seeing the little faces of the junior team players at the end-of-season awards is why. It makes it all worthwhile.”
      People are struggling – we do our best to put a smile on their faces
      Mendip Broadwalk FC is based in Knowle West, one of Bristol’s most deprived areas. Money is tight here, and there are social issues and gangs. So Tesco’s grant made a real difference.
      The club is a focus for the community and an outlet and a haven for youngsters. However, subs and affiliation fees are a challenge for some players and parents.
      “People are struggling, so we do our best to put a smile on their faces,” says Andy.
      “We don’t pressurise anyone about money. No one is refused to play. We look to help them as best we can.”
      The fact that over 5,000 schools and groups, just like Mendip Broadwalk FC, have already applied to Tesco Stronger Starts since its summer launch, shows how much these schemes are needed right now.
      “The grants we allocate this year mean we can help over 1 million young people to thrive in thousands of schools, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and sports clubs, and create positivity across our local communities,” says Christine Heffernan, Tesco group communications director.
      Every Tesco store provides information about applicants, with customers able to vote using blue tokens given out at checkouts.
      Anyone can apply, including customers and staff. The more detail in the application – particularly how the funds will be used – the better.
      Every three months the group that receives the most blue tokens is given a grant of up to £1,500, with the lucky winner invited to the store to receive a cheque and celebrate the moment.
      “Our stores have always been at the heart of every community we serve,” says Christine.
      “We’re proud that, together, we can help make a difference in our customers’ communities and to their friends and family.”
      It is hoped that with funding every child in Britain can play football if they wish
      The supermarket has also teamed up with The Sun’s Footie For All to help identify the local clubs most in need.
      The newspaper launched the campaign after charity Sported revealed that 94 per cent of clubs nationwide are struggling and that young players were dropping out because their parents could not cover costs.
      “We know there is a demand in many areas of the country for resources to help kids get into football,” says Christine.
      “So we felt it was important to team up with The Sun to extend the reach of our Stronger Starts funding to grants that ensure any child can play football if they wish, taking away the worry about paying for subs or kit.”
      Clubs like Mendip Broadwalk FC do a vital job in keeping kids off the street, encouraging them to play sport and to get fit, things that can sustain them for life.
      The club has also just started a girls’ side for under-sevens (some older girls play in mixed sides). Even better, the under-18s will soon have the chance to play under the senior side’s floodlights.
      “There’s a lot of pride in this place,” says Andy. “Sometimes I walk down the road, and players you coached ten years ago come up and have a chat.
      “They’re still very fond of the club, even if they’re no longer playing football.”
      “It’s incredibly important to us that children aren’t missing out on opportunities to exercise, stay healthy and try out activities or sports because the options they have are limited or they don’t have the financial means,” says Christine.
      Every club is a winner with Tesco Stronger Starts.

      To find out more, head to tescoplc.com/strongerstarts More

    • 225 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      These kids football clubs have all been handed £1k with the Sun’s grant – and you could too

      by

      THESE kids’ football clubs scored a win by getting their hands on cash from our fab Footie For All Fund.They are the first delighted recipients of £1,000 grants to help keep their squads going.
      Our Footie For All Fund has given out £150,000 in grants to deserving clubsCredit: NNP
      We teamed up with Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme
      Former England star John Terry backed our campaignCredit: Getty
      Last month we teamed up with Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme to give out £150,000 in grants to deserving clubs.
      And we have been inundated with stories of teams making a difference in their communities.
      From buying new boots and kit to allowing more kids to play for free, grants will help them make more of an impact.
      And there is still time for you to enter as the new deadline for applications is now noon on November 13.
      read more on football
      Former England star John Terry backed our campaign to keep kids playing despite the cost-of-living crisis making it difficult for parents to fund their children’s training.
      John said: “I’ve seen first-hand how football can change someone’s life.
      “It doesn’t matter if it becomes a career or just something you continue playing for fun.
      “For anyone to lose the chance to play footie would be a tragedy, but we all know times are tough for everyone thanks to rising prices.
      Most read in Football
      “I loved my time playing at grassroots level when I was little, and I want everyone to have that feeling of joy.
      “It’s great that The Sun’s Footie For All Fund is helping clubs out, thanks to Tesco’s generous donation.”
      Christine Heffernan, Tesco Group communications director, said: “From the range of applications that have come in so far and the stories we have heard, it’s clear to see that football clubs up and down the country need the support more than ever and that we’re reaching hundreds more children as a result of this funding.
      “It’s encouraging to know that the Tesco Stronger Starts and Footie for All partnership will be getting children into doing what they love, playing more footie more often.”
      Here we show how our deserving recipients are putting the money to work so far.
      BEAMISH FC, STANLEY, COUNTY DURHAM
      THIS grassroots team near Gateshead gives more than 450 kids a chance to play football in a safe space throughout the week.
      The club is using its £1,000 grant to purchase full kits for its new reception-aged group to ensure no child feels out of place.
      It means the tots, aged four to five, will get a Beamish FC shirt, shorts and jumper as well as a pair of sports socks.
      Team fundraising manager, Deborah Maddison, told The Sun: “We operate in quite a deprived area which means that the cost of living is hitting families hard.
      “As a club, we work really hard to make sure it is as accessible as possible for parents to send their kids here.
      “Everything we do costs, which means we rely on grants like this to keep the club up and running.”
      HEMINGTON HAMMERS FC, DERBY
      THE Derbyshire club used to only have adult teams but decided last year to open up an under-tens squad aimed at deprived kids.
      The move came after they heard from parents that many children in inner-city Derby weren’t able to play the beautiful game due to financial barriers.
      Hemington Hammers opened up last year to give deprived kids a chance to play footieCredit: Paul Tonge
      Club vice chairman Andrew Bennett said: “We’ve seen their confidence grow as they’ve got better and better.
      “They started the season losing most of their games and now they’re starting to win some.”
      Hemington Hammers is using the £1,000 grant to accelerate their plans to take more kids on, purchase kit, pay for the training of new coaches for additional teams and cover admin costs such as first aid kits.
      Andrew added: “We have seen that there is a demand for low-cost football, as we filled the first team in a matter of weeks.
      “Now we hope to get more kids involved.
      “The simple thing is, the more funding we get to put on the sessions, the cheaper we will make it for the kids, so they always have somewhere to play.”
      PELICAN PARK COMMUNITY TRUST, HULL
      PELICAN Park Community Trust in Hull does more than helping kids stay fit – it provides a chance for them to socialise and get away from potentially tough situations at home.
      Now, thanks to The Sun and Tesco’s Footie For All grants, 50 more children are able to attend.
      Pelican Park Community Trust in Hull provides a chance for kids to socialise and get away from potentially tough situations at homeCredit: Glen Minikin
      Jannette Hornby, charity manager, said: “We don’t want anyone to miss out on proper football training because of personal circumstances.
      For many, it is a chance to run around and play in a safe environment, and that is vital for kids of all ages.”
      Hull is one of the most underprivileged areas in the country, and a quarter of children in the city live with low income families.
      The charity has been subsidising households who can no longer afford the training fees due to financial struggles.
      They also offer a boot swap and provide kit free of charge, so no one is left out.
      Read More on The Sun
      Within just a few sessions, coaches and staff see a huge difference in the children who come.
      Jannette added: “It’s a gateway for everyone into feeling better.”
      THERE’S STILL TIME TO NET £1,000 FOR YOUR CLUBDOES your child’s football club need a cash injection to keep it on the pitch?
      Our Footie For All Fund is offering £1,000 grants to under-18s sides who are struggling in the financial crisis.
      We have teamed up with Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme to give out £150,000 in grants and want to hear about your local club and what it does for the community.
      We launched our fund after teams across the country told us how some kids are dropping out as families struggle financially.
      Perhaps your side wants to offer parents help with fees, or needs new kit or space to play on.
      See tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/footiefund to apply.
      Applications close on November 13.
      Grants are given on a rolling basis so it could start helping your club within weeks. More

    • 163 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Lionesses Millie Bright & Rachel Daly back The Sun’s Footie For All Fund

      by

      LIONESSES Millie Bright and Rachel Daly have backed The Sun’s Footie For All Fund.We have teamed up with Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme to give away £150,000 of grants to grassroots youth football clubs in crisis.
      Millie Bright and Rachel Daly have backed The Sun’s Footie For All FundCredit: Getty
      Millie said: ‘It’s amazing what The Sun and Tesco are doing to support local teams and it will help a lot of kids keep playing’Credit: Instagram
      Rachel with her ball and medal as a footie-mad kidCredit: Instagram
      England’s World Cup captain Millie, 30, said: “It’s amazing what The Sun and Tesco are doing to support local teams and it will help a lot of kids keep playing.
      “Maybe it can help some of them become Lionesses.”
      The Chelsea defender added: “As a kid, my parents had a hard time getting me away from a football pitch.
      “But it wasn’t something I knew I loved until some friends took me to a local club, Killamarsh Dynamos, and then it became my focus.
      Read More on Football
      “It opened up a whole new world to me aged nine and without playing when I was little, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
      “It’s heartbreaking to hear some kids won’t get the same opportunities because their parents can’t afford it.”
      Funded by Tesco’s Stronger Starts campaign — which provides healthy food and activities for children across the country — we will dish out 150 grants (each worth £1,000) to clubs across the country.
      We launched our Footie For All campaign this year to shine a light on how financial struggles were forcing kids to give up the national game.
      Most read in Football
      According to the charity Sported, around 94 per cent of grassroots clubs were concerned about the impact soaring costs were having on their membership.
      In the wake of our probe we have been inundated with the stories of local youth sides making a huge difference to their communities, while struggling to cover costs.
      Millie’s team-mate Rachel Daly, 31, added: “Growing up, I have some of my happiest memories playing with Killinghall Nomads.
      “I can’t imagine my childhood without football and I don’t want anyone else to go without because of rising prices.
      “It’s so important to keep the game accessible — that’s why I’m backing The Sun’s Footie For All campaign.”
      HOW TO APPLY
      WE want to hear the story of YOUR club and the big difference you are making to kids and your community.
      If you are a not-for-profit grassroots football club in England, Wales or Scotland working with youngsters under the age of 18, you could be eligible for one of our 150 grants.
      Funds can be used for anything that encourages more children to take part in the sport – such as pitch fees or to sponsor funded places for children who can’t afford membership.
      Applications must be made by October 29.
      To apply and for full T&Cs, see the website below . . . 
      www.tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/footiefund More

    • 150 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      How a scheme to support local football clubs is benefiting whole communities

      by

      BECAUSE of a developmental disorder, 11-year-old Sean had been rejected by every local football club. Until, that is, his parents took him to Bangor Saints FC, where he was welcomed with open arms.“At Bangor it doesn’t matter who you are or what level you’re at, because we see our job as supporting young people,” says Daf Roberts, 46, a postman whose roles at the club include coaching coordinator, safeguarding officer and equality champion.
      Daf Roberts (right) with one of his many hats at Bangor Saints FC
      Daf tried Sean in various positions, then one week he gave him the goalkeeper’s gloves. Sean was outstanding, and that season he won the club’s Golden Gloves award.
      “When we announced it at the presentation, his joy was overwhelming,” Daf recalls.
      “His parents cried. They told me Sean’s dream was to be accepted and be part of a team, and he is – he’s a fantastic lad.
      “People join the club thinking it’s about scoring goals, but in fact they learn to mix regardless of background.
      “They learn respect, teamwork and life skills, and their fitness improves,” adds Daf, who was named 2023 FAW (Football Association of Wales) Grassroots Spirit of Football Award winner.
      Founded in 2014, Bangor Saints has expanded from two to seven teams; these range from under-sevens to under-17s, and the club numbers around 100 players.
      The value of a local sports club to a community is enormous, but it’s not cheap to run.
      There are league and FA affiliation fees, pitch hire, kit, referees… the list goes on, especially for those with clubhouses and changing rooms to heat and maintain.
      When Bangor was expanding in 2018, it needed funds and applied for a grant through the Tesco Bags of Help scheme (now called Tesco Stronger Starts).
      Working in partnership with the charity Groundwork, the supermarket has awarded over £100million to more than 50,000 local projects through its funding programmes.
      These include 6,000 schools, over 2,000 sports teams and 2,300 other youth organisations.
      Customers can participate by voting in their local stores to support projects, or even nominate them.
      “Community is the central pillar of our purpose at Tesco,” says Christine Heffernan, the company’s director of group communications.
      “We’re proud that together we can help make a difference in our customers’ communities and to their friends and families.
      “We’ll provide information about the projects so they can vote for them in every store and support their favourite cause.”

      An allocation of £1,000 to Bangor Saints meant the club could buy new portable goalposts and enough kit to run new teams.
      “Schemes like Tesco’s are a massive bonus for clubs like ours in an area where the cost of living crisis is biting,” says Daf.
      “Parents can’t really afford much. Fundraising and awards like this take the pressure off parents and enable the club to flourish.”
      Tesco recently launched its new grant programme, Stronger Starts, which is committing £5.3million to schools and children’s groups, funding healthy food and activities.
      It has already received over 5,000 applications for the first round, showing the scale of support needed.
      For help reaching local clubs and causes that could benefit from support, the supermarket chain has teamed up with The Sun’s Footie For All campaign.
      The newspaper launched Footie For All after it was revealed that 94 per cent of clubs nationwide were struggling and that many young players were dropping out because their parents could not cover costs.
      “It’s clubs like Bangor who see first hand the difference these opportunities can make to young people’s lives when they’re moving, motivated and mentally energised,” says Christine.
      “That’s why it felt right to extend the reach of our Stronger Starts funding to grants to ensure any child can play football, and take away the worry about paying for subs or kit.
      “Ensuring children thrive means we’re also ensuring our communities thrive. By encouraging mental, physical and social skills in an environment where there is a sense of enjoyment, participation and teamwork, we’re benefiting the wider future population and locality too.”

      Apply for a Tesco Stronger Starts grant now
      Tesco Stronger Starts is open to any local club or charitable scheme. Add your support by voting for local groups using the blue tokens in your Tesco branch
      To find out more head to tescoplc.com/strongerstarts
      Hear all about The Sun’s Footie For All opportunities here. More