08/08/2015 09:49

Holme Rovers take part in Team Parade and one of their players walks out with Premier League heroes ahead of Chelsea vs. Arsenal

Local football team Holme Rovers,  were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part as one of the eight teams in a team parade ahead of the 2015 FA Community Shield, sponsored by McDonald’s, on Sunday 2nd August.

 

In addition, Madison Whilesmith, aged 9, from Market Weighton and who plays for Holme Rovers, enjoyed a once in a lifetime experience as she walked out on to the pitch alongside Chelsea star Branislav Ivanovic ahead of the curtain raiser for the new Premier League season.

 

Ahead of the hotly anticipated fixture between the two London rivals, players from Holme Rovers walked out on to the hallowed turf at the home of football before Premier League winners Chelsea 1-0 defeat to FA Cup holders Arsenal in front of an 85,000 strong crowd.

 

Holme Rovers were given the opportunity to feature in the parade by local McDonald’s franchisee Mike O’Reilly who has supported the club for the past two years as part of the McDonald’s Club Twinning programme.

 

The McDonald’s Club Twinning programme started in 2008 and has already seen over 1,000 grassroots clubs across the country twinned with McDonald’s restaurants and is one of the many ways in which McDonald’s supports accredited grassroots clubs through their Community Partnership with The FA to help raise the standards of the grassroots game.  

 

Grassroots clubs across the country who are twinned with their local McDonald’s restaurants receive support through the provision of kit and equipment, business advice and assistance with hosting community football events. 

 

Gemma Wallace at Holme Rovers, said: “It was an incredible experience to walk out at the home of English football. The kids enjoyed every minute of it and I am sure they will be talking about today for months to come. Forty proud parents and friends were in the stadium courtesy of McDonald’s to watch our players enjoy their special moment. Opportunities like this wouldn’t arise without the club’s relationship with McDonald’s and we are extremely grateful for the ongoing support that we receive from Mike O’Reilly. We look forward to continuing to work with Mike in the future to ensure that Holme Rovers continue to offer the best possible football experience for our local community.”

 

Madison Whilesmith, who won the chance to be a Player Escort by winning a competition on the McDonald’s Better Play website, said “To walk out onto the Wembley pitch was brilliant! Seeing all the fans and hearing the cheers of the crowd made was amazing. Branislav was very nice to me. It was amazing and I was given a brand new Chelsea kit!”

 

Mike O’Reilly who is a big supporter of grassroots football in the local area said: “I have supported Holme Rovers for a number of years now and it is always a pleasure to reward such a community driven club. Everyone at Holme Rovers, all volunteers, strive to offer the kids a great time playing football and learning new skills. This was an experience I knew they would all love as passionate football fans and I am really glad they all had a brilliant time.”

 

McDonald’s has been a Community Partner of the Football Association for 13 years. Together McDonald’s and The FA are helping accredited clubs raise the standards at grassroots level through better safety, better advice, better coaching for better coaches, better kit, better support and better recognition for volunteers. For further information on McDonald’s involvement in grassroots football and to find out how your club could benefit visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/betterplay