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 ‘Leopard’ teams ranging from U7’s to U10’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.
Commenting after the event, Mark Francois said:
"Rayleigh FC are now the largest youth football club in Essex and, as I explained at the awards presentation, I am extremely proud to have them in my constituency. With over 40 teams it takes an entire weekend to hand out the awards and it was very good of them to ask me to come along and be part of that process. I congratulate all players, whatever age, on what has clearly been a very good season for the club."