Wyrley Juniors FC - receive Top Club award at Wembley

Wyrley Juniors FC capped off what will be a remarkable year for them by receiving the National FA Charter Standard Community Club of the Year award at a luncheon before the Community Shield game between Manchester United and Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday 7 August.

The club, which is the largest in Staffordshire with 46 teams, learned in July that it was the Staffordshire FA winners for the fourth time in 8 years and the Regional winners for the second time in 6, but were delighted to learn they had achieved the highest accolade possible for any club by being awarded the National prize.

Ian Rush and Keith Hardy

Out of all the clubs in England, only 500 have the highest FA Charter Standard mark - the Community Club Standard - with clubs needing 10 teams, a girls section, an adults section, strong development plan and adhering to all FA policies. Wyrley met this criteria with ease and were given the recognition due to their extraordinary efforts in: -

supporting Staffordshire FA's diversity objectives by creating a Veterans team and Under 8 girls teams
after 11 years of much effort, raising £1.15m to build its own clubhouse, which will be finished at the end of the month
volunteering free coaching to the local Community Police to keep youths off the streets
providing free schools coaching
its two academies for boys and girls aged 4 to 9 having over 70 players registered
becoming a Deaf Friendly Club - one of only 100 nationally
continual development of its coaches
the quality of its annual tournament for 170 teams and much more

Keith Hardy, Chairman of the Club, picked up the award at a lunch hosted by Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Trevor Brooking before the match, and is pictured attached receiving the award from Ian Rush, ex Liverpool and Wales. He then went onto the pitch at half time with other award category winners to be introduced to the crowd. During the game, Wyrley Juniors FC name was flashed round the ground on pitch side advertising hoardings. Keith said 'The Club is delighted to receive the highest award possible for any junior club and this is recognition for over 100 volunteers and 50 coaches involved with the club'. He added ' The club is going through a remarkable period, with our own ground weeks away from completion and receiving recognition at the highest level. For me, to walk on the Wembley turf with a national hero in Sir Geoff Hurst was an experience never to be forgotten.'

Wyrley at Wembley 7 Aug 2011

Pictured: Wyrley sent over 30 committee members and managers to the game seen above sporting their
Wyrley scarves before the game

Keith Hardy finished by saying 'the Club is 30 years old this coming season and with our own base we now intend to kick on again in providing excellent facilities to local footballers. Anyone wishing to join us should contact me on 07836202764.'

Wyrley FC Clubhouse

Photos of the clubhouse being built

Keith Hardy
Chairman
Wyrley Juniors FC

www.wyrleyjuniors.net

Click here to return to the newsletter