LOCAL FOOTBALLERS TAKING TO THE HOME OF ENGLISH FOOTBALL BEOFRE FA COMMUNITY SHIELD
Holme Rovers to take part in Team Parade and one of their players set to walk out with Premier League heroes ahead of Chelsea vs. Arsenal
Local football team Holme Rovers, have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity as one of 8 teams invited to be part of 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, will walk onto the hallowed turf alongside Chelsea at the home of English football after winning a competition on the McDonald’s Better Play website.
Ahead of the hotly anticipated match, 19 players and coaches from Holme Rovers will take part in a procession around the home of football as Premier League winners Chelsea prepare to take on FA Cup holders Arsenal in front of 80,000 fans. They will be joined by 40 friends and family who have also been given tickets to watch the match at Wembley by McDonald’s.
The East Riding grassroots team were given the opportunity to feature in the parade by local McDonald’s franchisee Mike O’Reilly whose Shiptonthorpe restaurant has supported the club for the past 2 years as part of 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: “The club are so excited to walk out at Wembley next month. I am sure it will be an experience the kids will never forget. 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. The coach is booked for our trip to London and there is a real buzz about it around the village.” Madison Whilesmith, Holme Rovers player, added: “I can’t wait to walk out onto the Wembley pitch at the match! I am a huge Chelsea fan, hearing the cheers of the crowd is going to be an amazing experience – all of my friends at school are going to be really jealous.”
Mike, who is a big supporter of grassroots football in the local area said: “I have supported Holme Rovers for a couple of years now and this is a nice reward for all of the fantastic work they do for our local community. This is such a great opportunity and I hope they enjoy their time on the biggest football stage ahead of the match. I am very excited for Madison too, she has a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the Wembley roar from a players perspective. It isn’t something many get to enjoy first-hand and we are proud to be able to offer such an incredible opportunity to inspire young footballers.”
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
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Sam Ellis – sam.ellis@redconsultancy.com – 0207 025 6535
Tom Leeder – tom.leeder @redconsultancy.com – 0207 025 6556