High Sheriff for the Isle of Wight, Mrs Caroline Peel, recently presented representatives from Shanklin FC with grants to help fund new goal posts, pitch improvements, provide COVID-19 safety facilities and help develop a new youth football team.
The High Sheriff visited the club before the annual training game between past and present players – and just before the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Arsenal.
Shanklin FC have started training again, in line with FA guidance, with 2 senior men’s sides, 2 women’s teams and a new youth team. There are also further plans to develop the club to meet the increasing number of players wanting to join.
Shanklin FC Manager Paul Haward said:
“It’s been a difficult few months for Islanders, including those involved in sport, and these funds will help the club prepare safely for the new season, when its safe to play again”.
Club Safety co-ordinator John Shannon added:
“We have done as much as we can within limited resources, and we will continue to monitor how we can play sport safely within the guidance, and we are grateful to the FA for their support and much needed funding”.
Mrs Peel said:
“It is really heartening to see Sports Clubs, like Shanklin, put measures in place to enable players to play sport again – the cautious and step by step approach will help the club reach their goal of playing safe soccer”.
