LOCAL SHROPSHIRE LEAGUE COLLECTS NATIONAL GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL AWARD AT WEMBLEY


On Sunday 4th August, local football league, Shropshire Junior Football League attended the 2019 FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards national ceremony, held at the home of football, Wembley Stadium connected by EE, to collect its award after being named winner of the prestigious We Only Do Positive Respect award.

The Shropshire Junior Football League prides itself on going above and beyond, but also trailblazing. It was the first county league to have a Respect partner, the first to deliver the Rainbow Laces/Kick It Out campaign working in partnership with The Shropshire FA Youth Council to deliver this, and the first to implement Respect Marshalls on match days and the first to receive a gold award in the Mayor of Shrewsbury’s awards. 

The league remains committed to enhancing and maintaining the wellbeing of young people and promoting equality, inclusion and diversity across its community. For the influential role it plays in fostering positive attitudes and behaviour, the Shropshire Junior Football League is the winner of the We Only Do Positive Respect Award.

Shropshire Junior Football League accepted its award from football legend Karen Carney MBE ahead of The FA Community Shield, supported by McDonald’s, which saw Premier League & FA Cup champions Manchester City defeat Champions League winners Liverpool. During the half time break, Mike Hames and Jan Butler joined World Cup hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst on the pitch in front of 77,000 fans.

“I have been involved with the Grassroots Awards since the very beginning and the stories of the winners never fail to impress me. Shropshire Junior Football League should be extremely proud of their work and grassroots football in Shropshire is a much better place with them a part of it,” said McDonald’s ambassador Sir Geoff Hurst.

“The English game is in a very good place at the moment with the national team boasting a number of young and talented players, while the Lionesses have enjoyed a superb World Cup in France. Our national teams simply wouldn’t be in this place without the hard work of our grassroots volunteers – every player has to start somewhere. It was a pleasure to meet Mike and Jan and I hope they continue their extraordinary commitment to football for many years to come.”

Local McDonald’s franchisee Matthew Winfield, who is an avid supporter of grassroots football in Shropshire, said: “It’s an honour to recognise Shropshire Junior Football League and the amazing work it does in the community. The work it does in providing local children with an inclusive and safe place to play football is incredibly important. McDonald’s has been supporting grassroots football in Shropshire for many years, and the Shropshire Junior Football League’s story really highlights the difference the volunteers who work for leagues like them make in the local community.”

Having worked with The FA over the past 17 years, McDonald’s is the longest-standing supporter of grassroots football in the UK. Through this partnership, McDonald’s continues to champion the tireless volunteers who dedicate countless hours to provide enjoyable football to children and young adults regardless of age, gender or disability. 

In addition to championing volunteers, McDonald’s has committed to providing over 5 million hours of fun football to 5-11 year olds and giving 500,000 children the chance to play football for the first time by 2022 through Fun Football Centres and other initiatives across the UK.

For further information on how to get involved in McDonald’s Fun Football initiative visit  www.mcdonalds.oco.uk/funfootball