Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, recently attended the Rayleigh FC annual presentation weekend, where he handed out awards to several of the players from four of the successful teams.
The presentations took place at the Pope John Paul II Hall in Rayleigh and ran over two days due to the sheer number of children who are involved with local football at the club. Mark presented the awards to four of the teams ranging from U11’s to U18’s.
Hundreds of children with their proud parents, grandparents and carers attended over the weekend, as the club now boasts over 40 teams, comprised of all ages from under 7’s right through to Veterans, as well as female teams too. This makes Rayleigh FC one of the largest youth football clubs, not just in Essex, but anywhere in the country.
As well as the presentations, those in attendance were also able to enjoy a BBQ, which was run by the 3rd Rayleigh Scouts, a bouncy castle and a penalty shoot-out.
Commenting after the event, Mark Francois said:
"Rayleigh FC are a great club and are now one of the largest of its type in the country. It is a wonderful thing to have a club in my constituency doing so much to teach young people about the value of sportsmanship, teamwork and physical activity. I am proud to have a successful club like this in my patch and it