Non-league club 'delighted' as community work rewarded
The Lancashire side have gone above and beyond in ensuring that there is something for everyone at Victory Park, whether it's the Chorley Community Friendship Group, Blokes United, Walking Football, AndysManClub or Soccer Schools, all provided by the Chorley FC Community Foundation.
Last Christmas saw the club go viral on X after announcing that they would be throwing open their doors for anyone that wanted to join them and one of the foundation's trustees Alistair Leggett, who accepted the award at the NGAs, emphasized Chorley's commitment to serving all members of its community for whatever they might need.
He explained: 'A football club is the heart and hub of the community and it can't just be a place where people go to watch a game on a Saturday.
'The foundation and the club work in association to support and assist the community in any way that we can. We run a number of sessions including walking football each week to bring together people who perhaps have gone past the stage of playing competitive football.
'As part of society, it's imperative that the local football club does its bit. It's vital and it has to give something back, whether it's something tangible or providing support like we did on Christmas.
'There were people who attended on Christmas Day who had no interest in football and never been to a football club before but they were just delighted to be part of something."
The National Game Awards is a celebration of the non-League season - highlighting the community, fans, on-field, and off-field successes of the game outside of the Football League.
The ceremony is held annually by the Non-League Paper, the UK's number one selling football title and the best place for your non-league news, with this year's edition hosted at Plough Lane – home of AFC Wimbledon.
Leggett added: 'It's a real privilege. I speak for all the trustees and everyone associated with the foundation that we don't do it for the awards or recognition.
'When we see the appreciation shown to us and you consider how many clubs there are in the country all doing exceptionally good work, this just gives you a warm feeling to know that you have contributed in some way.
'I'm delighted to have been here and to accept this award.'
The Non-League Paper is the UK's number one selling football title, available every Sunday. For more information please visit www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Host more events to inspire the next generation, says Neita
Daryll Neita has called for the UK to host more world-class sporting events to inspire the next generation. The European Athletics Championships come to the UK for the first time next summer with Alexander Stadium in Birmingham playing host. It will mark the first time that the UK has hosted a standalone major athletics championships since the 2017 World Championships in London, with Neita among more than 100 signatories of an open letter released this week calling for the showpiece event to return to the capital in 2029. Racing in front of a home crowd at Birmingham 2026 is an opportunity that Neita is relishing as she plays her part in trying to give athletics a spotlight in non-Olympic years. "I'm all for inspiring the next generation," she said. "I have an athletics community where I plan sports days and it's super important for me that young kids have the opportunity to be inspired by sport and see it live. "For people who watch us on television, to have the opportunity to come down and see us in person is brilliant. "That's what we need as a sporting country. We need this legacy of putting on top events more often." The past two London Athletics Meets have drawn in sell-out crowds and the 2025 event is no different, which Neita feels is part of a wider boom in interest. "This sport has been growing in the past few years and it's been great to be part of that evolution,' she added. "For so long there was this talk of athletics needing to be picked up and needing help to get more eyes on it, so it's great to see the amount of opportunities that are now coming through. "People are interested in it, we just need the exposure." View this post on Instagram A post shared by @birmingham2026 The Birmingham 2026 ticketing information and timetable has now been unveiled, with 250,000 tickets to go on sale in September, and prices starting from just £10 for adults. Neita won 100m European bronze at Munich 2022 before adding 200m silver to her name two years later in Rome. But even with two relays golds from the continental championships in 2018 and 2024, the sprinter is still eager for her first-ever individual major title and feels confident she will finally bring it home in Birmingham. "It feels to be like it's meant to be," she said. "I've done the bronze in the 100m and silver in the 200m, so the only other option is for me to win double gold. "That's how I see it and there's no better place to do it than at home. "That British cheer is definitely what can get me onto the podium again. "I've made an adjustment in terms of my training set up and the plan is that by next summer I will be raring and ready to go. I'm feeling really confident."
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Full list of knighted British footballers revealed as David Beckham joins exclusive club – can you name them all?
A non-Brit was also given an honorary knighthood SIR OF THE MOMENT Full list of knighted British footballers revealed as David Beckham joins exclusive club – can you name them all? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DAVID BECKHAM has joined an exclusive club after becoming the latest British football star to receive a knighthood. Golden Balls will officially arise as Sir Becks after SunSport exclusively revealed he will be knighted in the King's Birthday Honours next week. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 David Beckham will join an exclusive list of British football stars when he is knighted Credit: Getty 10 Sir Gareth Southgate was the most recent to be honoured earlier this year Credit: PA 10 Sir Alex Ferguson was knighted when he led Man Utd to the Treble in 1999 Credit: PA:Press Association 10 Sir Bobby Robson received his award in 2002 Credit: AFP Beckham, 50, has long yearned for a knighthood after his services to the beautiful game. And Spice Girl wife Victoria will benefit by becoming Lady Beckham. Former Manchester United star Becks, who played 115 times for England and has made major contributions to charity, has struck up a firm friendship with King Charles. He will now join an exclusive group of other British football personalities to receive royal knighthoods. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL NOW WE'RE BOTH POSH! David Beckham to be awarded knighthood after string of near misses But just 16 names are already on the list. The first was Sir Charles Clegg, who received his award in 1927 after both playing for England and later serving as chairman and president of the FA. He was followed by Sir Stanley Rous in 1949, a former referee who was also the sixth president of FIFA. England legend Sir Stanley Matthews next received one in 1965 while still being an active player, having become the first person to win the European Footballer of the Year award. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS World Cup-winning manager Sir Alf Ramsey then got his in 1967, a year after leading the Three Lions to glory against West Germany. And in 1968 it was the turn of Man United icon Sir Matt Busby, the first manager of an English team to win the European Cup. David Beckham to finally be awarded knighthood after string of near misses & disappointments over more than a decade 10 Sir Matt Busby was given his knighthood in 1968 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 10 SunSport exclusively revealed Sir Tom Finney's award in 1998 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 10 Sir Geoff Hurst got his award in 1998 Credit: PA:Press Association Fast forward 10 years later and Sir Walter Winterbottom was the next to receive a knighthood after becoming the first-ever England gaffer in 1946. Sir Bert Millichip then got one in 1991 after his time as chairman of the FA. Three years later it was Sir Bobby Charlton's turn, having previously been award a CBE and an OBE. In 1998, both Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Tom Finney were knighted by the Queen - with news of the latter's honour exclusively revealed by SunSport. And one year later Sir Alex Ferguson received his after leading Man United to the Treble. 10 Sir Trevor Brooking was knighted in 2004 Credit: Alamy 10 Sir Kenny Dalglish received his title in 2018 Credit: PA 10 Brazil legend Pele was given an honorary knighthood in 1997 Credit: AP:Associated Press Newcastle legend Sir Bobby Robson was then knighted in 2002 thanks to his iconic career in the dugout. Sir Trevor Brooking followed two years later, with Sir Dave Richards honoured in 2006. Sir Kenny Dalglish then became the next 12 years later in 2018 thanks to his brilliant time with Liverpool as both boss and player. And in January, Sir Gareth Southgate was awarded for leading England for successive second-place finishes at the European Championships. Now, it's Beckham's turn to take his place among the pantheon of British football legends. But an additional knighthood has also been given to a non-Brit, with the late Brazilian legend Pele receiving an honorary one in 1997.
The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Host more events to inspire the next generation, says Neita
It will mark the first time that the UK has hosted a standalone major athletics championships since the 2017 World Championships in London, with Neita among more than 100 signatories of an open letter released this week calling for the showpiece event to return to the capital in 2029. Racing in front of a home crowd at Birmingham 2026 is an opportunity that Neita is relishing as she plays her part in trying to give athletics a spotlight in non-Olympic years. "I'm all for inspiring the next generation," she said. "I have an athletics community where I plan sports days and it's super important for me that young kids have the opportunity to be inspired by sport and see it live. "For people who watch us on television, to have the opportunity to come down and see us in person is brilliant. "That's what we need as a sporting country. We need this legacy of putting on top events more often." The past two London Athletics Meets have drawn in sell-out crowds and the 2025 event is no different, which Neita feels is part of a wider boom in interest. "This sport has been growing in the past few years and it's been great to be part of that evolution,' she added. "For so long there was this talk of athletics needing to be picked up and needing help to get more eyes on it, so it's great to see the amount of opportunities that are now coming through. "People are interested in it, we just need the exposure." The Birmingham 2026 ticketing information and timetable has now been unveiled, with 250,000 tickets to go on sale in September, and prices starting from just £10 for adults. Neita won 100m European bronze at Munich 2022 before adding 200m silver to her name two years later in Rome. But even with two relays golds from the continental championships in 2018 and 2024, the sprinter is still eager for her first-ever individual major title and feels confident she will finally bring it home in Birmingham. "It feels to be like it's meant to be," she said. "I've done the bronze in the 100m and silver in the 200m, so the only other option is for me to win double gold. "That's how I see it and there's no better place to do it than at home. "That British cheer is definitely what can get me onto the podium again. "I've made an adjustment in terms of my training set up and the plan is that by next summer I will be raring and ready to go. I'm feeling really confident."
