CITY AND VILLAGE IN THE COMMUNITY

I am not a great fan of Manchester City but I was lucky enough to be taken to the Etihad yesterday and saw a game that only came alive in the final third. For the earlier part of the game, I gazed round this huge structure and contemplated how football clubs influence a local area and what resources are needed to put on a football match at this level.

As we walked to the ground, I was impressed by the regeneration of that part of Manchester, once quite deprived, but now gradually showing signs of recovery, thanks to Manchester City's investment. It really has developed a Sports' City, with academic attachments, retail, good roads, cycle paths, green space and so on. So well done to the Blue Moon Empire.

Along with their match programme there was a supplement called "City in the Community", a celebration of the work carried out by the club: "Creating opportunities through Football".

This was also highlighted by the BBC on MOTD in their "Work in the community" slot this weekend.

The club has delivered 22 football based projects this season, raising £60,000 by fans, employing 25 full time staff and 22 part timestaff. There have been over 1700 hours of free football for the community, 650 hours of disability sport and working with over 300 charities. 889 qualifications have been provided for young people, with work experience and volunteer placements and £20,000 gathered in bucket collections, The CITC Road Show has engaged over 5,000, 4-11 year olds in various events, many other schools have been engaged by City's staff and many monthly tournaments arranged involving local schools. There are major projects abroad also, incorporating a huge range of social issues.

Congratulations to Mike Green, the Head of CITC, who has brought the professionals from the first team to meet the public and addressed many problems faced by youngsters and grown-ups at home and further afield.

It made me think how important football clubs are in local communities and it makes the application by my local village club, Hepworth United FC in Kirklees, even more relevant as we strive to gain Community Charter Standard through the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA.