Longfleet FC "Kick back at Covid" Campaign

Who are Longfleet Football Club?

Longfleet Football Club has been established since 1988 and is an award winning Charter Standard Community Club, run solely by volunteer members. We strongly believe that all sport should be inclusive and accessible for all.

Here is a picture of some of our team managers & coaches at a fund-raising match at Dorset County FA

Our ethos is simple - Fair Play and Respect. 

We pride ourselves on running a successful and welcoming club. 

Since COVID hit, our club has provided great support and reassurance to many existing and newly joined members – pulling together like one big family. We have incredibly strong links with our junior and adult sections, with many of our junior players progressing to join our senior section – we work hard to ensure this transition is smooth and welcoming.

Throughout COVID, whilst we haven’t been allowed to play football, we’ve all pulled together, meeting up virtually on a regular basis to share ideas, thoughts and plans for our return to the sport we all love.

At Longfleet we regularly support our members and our local community by:

• Regularly improving the health and wellbeing of youths and adults 
• Championing diversity and inclusion in everything we do
• Offering opportunities for all, regardless of sporting ability
• Working closely with our County FA to help raise the profile of football across Dorset

Here are some pictures of some of our players receiving their 100 or 200 appearance plates.

The club has won many awards over the years which we are always so proud and honoured to receive. These awards demonstrate the hard work and commitment shown by all our Club volunteers and members.

Why Are We Looking For Funding?

Here is a statement from our Club Chairman, Graham Parkes, explaining why we are running this Crowdfunder Project:

"Longfleet Youth and Longfleet FC (adults), like so many other sports clubs have been impacted by COVID-19. During the first and now second lockdown we as a club postponed all income from players' monthly membership fees as we couldn’t provide structured football to our players, however our outgoing costs for league registrations, insurances, kit requirements and facilities to name but a few areas have continued.

We would like to raise some funds to help ensure the Club can continue to concentrate on what we do best. That is, providing an excellent level of coaching for our players, not only in football, but also in other social skills such as making relationships, working as a team, showing respect, having fun and of course play.

We know times are tough and have no expectancy of our members to contribute, but we ask if any of our members, spectators, relations of players and anyone associated to us in some form could spare some financial contribution to support the club. Any support would be really appreciated. 

Longfleet FC is a registered charity and has 25+ teams of all age groups from U4’s through to adults, male and female. We also provide football sessions specifically for people with Down syndrome within the club. In total we provide football for 365+ players and the impact the club has on the health, wellbeing and happiness of the members of our community cannot be underestimated.

We are keen to return to football when it is safe to do so. We want to be able to welcome all of our players back as soon as we can and we would be grateful for any donation you are able to make to support us to continue to do this.

Many thanks as always for your continued support."

What will the money we raise support?

We are a not for profit organisation, fully self funded though our members monthly fees, donations, sponsorship and any fundraising opportunities such as this. Since the Covid-19 pandemic started there have been additional costs involved to be able to operate such as sanitising equipment etc. 

Any money raised would enable us to:

• Continue to provide sanitising products and other materials required in order to keep our volunteers and players safe
• Supporting new members of all ages, welcoming them into the club
• Continue to provide teams with qualified management teams
• Continue to complete all CRC requirements and be able to update members qualifications to comply with FA requirements when due

Longfleet are Gold Respect Award Winners!

We pride ourselves in promoting the FA Respect campaign - here is a club produced video highlighting the campaign featuring our own club volunteers!

“EVERYBODY that is part of our TEAM has the right to LEARN, be SAFE and ENJOY themselves.”

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ ABOUT OUR PROJECT