From humble beginnings to royal recognition - football club prepares for special day
When Sharon Reason started a football club at Asfordby 27 years ago with just a handful of players she never dreamed that one day it would receive royal recognition.
But this weekend, the players and coaches of Asfordby Amateurs Ladies, Girls and Inclusive Football Club will be officially presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service at their annual awards evening.
The Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, King Charles’ representative in the county, will be in attendance to make the presentation of an award, which is the highest a voluntary group can receive in the UK and the equivalent of an MBE.
Sharon will then head to Buckingham Palace in June with first team player, Leah Radford, to attend a garden party with the royal family.
“The King’s Award is the most prestigious award we’ve ever won,” Sharon told the Melton Times.
"We’re one of only three local groups that have won it so it is a fantastic honour for us.”
The only previous local winners of the award were community radio station, 103 The Eye, and the Melton Community First Responders, so the club is in exalted company.
The Melton Times dropped in on a training session this week on the 3G pitch at John Ferneley College – more than 300 players aged from five to 56 train at various times between 5.30pm and 9.30pm.
Sharon said: “It is amazing how far we’ve come.
“I started the club in August 1999 with just a few players playing five-a-side games.
"Now we have 18 teams and we play in the Women’s FA Cup.”
Players of all abilities are welcome to train with the club and compete to play in matches. Subscriptions are kept low and there is ‘a hardship fund’ set aside so every girl or woman who wants to play can.
The club’s coaches and players go into local schools as well to take football sessions and organise tournaments.
They’ve also started a leadership academy for 12 to 16-year-olds, where they learn lots of skills, including coaching, PR and first aid.
"It doesn’t matter about ability, if someone gets in touch saying they would like to train with us we always make space,” explained Sharon.
The development of the club has been aided by being able to play matches on the sports fields at the town’s Long Field Spencer Academy.
Games at their original home at Asfordby Amateurs FC were often postponed due to waterlogged pitches
Sharon said: “The headteacher Mr Haggett is an absolute legend and he’s played a big part in helping us develop as a club.
“It’s fantastic that Long Field have given us use of their pitches for matches at whatever times we need them on Sundays at a much better cost to us.
“Games start at 9.30 and we go through the whole day.”
Jordan Reek, a first team player who is taking a break as she is expecting a baby, commented: “I started at the club when I was eight.
“It’s like a family here and everyone is allowed to be who they want to be.”
A citation for their King’s Award reads: ‘The club provides a welcoming and safe environment for all abilities and ages to develop their skills through football, setting their community up for future success’.