The club were tonight presented with the Harwoods Isle of Wight Division 1 winners trophy. The trophy was proudly accepted by joint 1st team manager Joe Rayner, 1st team coach Paul O’Connor and 1st team vice captain Aidan Sainsbury ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zyTbws9Qow
— W&B Sports FC (@wab_fc) June 11, 2024
Football is the most popular sport on the planet for multiple reasons. On the Isle of Wight, from Whitecroft & Barton Sports to Bembridge FC, there are some fantastic local teams that people on the island have well and truly embraced. In fact, all over the world, football brings communities together.
The nation is currently gripped by Euros fever
Although the aforementioned local sides that are steeped in history are followed by local residents, the professional game is still always on the agenda. For example, right now, football fans on the island are gripped by Euros fever, watching every match, sharing views online, and considering backing the likes of Spain when it comes to odds to win Euro 2024 given their enticing price of 4/1. Of course, the professional footballers currently aiming to bring the prize home for their respective nations also started out somewhere, including at their local community clubs. While some fans are currently reading match previews and making the most of any Euro 2024 tips, it’s easy to forget some of the journeys these world-famous professionals have been on. Without local community clubs, the likes of Harry Kane, who turned out for Ridgeway Rovers, wouldn’t have had the opportunity to shine and get snapped up by Watford and then Tottenham’s esteemed academy. Local football clubs matter and they’re a powerful tool for the local community.
Football builds bridges
As the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes at local clubs like Northwood St Johns FC and Oakfield FC can attest to, football really does bring people together. While watching Premier League superstars turn it on in Germany is appealing, it’s a different world to the local sides on the Isle of Wight who enable people to have a sense of belonging. Football builds bridges at all levels, particularly in a relatively small community like the Isle of Wright. No matter your gender, race, or age, pulling together for a common goal creates a sense of community.
A way to have fun and keep fit
Alongside the togetherness that can be created at a local community club, playing football is also a great way to have fun and keep fit. In a society where living a sedentary lifestyle has become all too common, having a nearby team to get involved with is essential. For local people of all ages, some of the island’s clubs host coaching sessions, five-a-side football competitions, charity events, walking football matches, and everything else inbetween. These opportunities, plus a range of others, are embraced by local people who simply adore the beautiful game but also want to work on their fitness.
A chance for talented locals to impress
Unlike nearby cities like Bournemouth and Southampton, talented players from the Isle of Wight aren’t filled with professional clubs to join. As such, impressing for local sides is the perfect opportunity for them, particularly as scouts from Premier League sides have been known to attend games on the island.
Lee Bradbury joins the coaching staff at #pvfc That’s one of the available managers to National League clubs taken off the table Still think he could become a good Head Coach But probably a good decision to take a step out of the limelight for a while https://t.co/DCzMjT29cn pic.twitter.com/x24DoS29s8
Article continues below this advertisement — tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) March 2, 2024
Much like local hero Lee Bradbury, who used to play for Plessey Reserves, having the chance to fine-tune your game in a local setting is an invaluable experience before a professional club like Portsmouth comes calling. For the community, seeing a local player join a well-known club is a proud moment.
