Leamington FC, Leamington Brakes FC (Boys) and Leamington Lions FC (Girls and Ladies) signed a historic 5-year affiliation agreement at Leamington FC’s New Windmill Ground on Tuesday 1 July.
The continuing growth of all three clubs means that Season 2008-2009 will see 12 boys teams, 6 girls teams and a ladies team all playing in the Leamington FC colours of gold and black.
Whilst each club will remain an independent entity with responsibility for its own financial management the affiliation agreement provides a sound foundation for all three clubs working in partnership to deliver agreed aims.
A Community Development Project Team has been set up with representation from all three clubs and significant progress has already been made in the formulation of a 5-year Football Development Plan. As soon as that has been finalised, the clubs will move to the next stage of formulating a Business Plan aimed at delivering the necessary resources, finances and infrastructure identified within the Football Development Plan.
The agreement also sees the Lions Ladies First team play their ‘home’ fixtures at the New Windmill Ground, an arrangement which is the envy of many a ladies team across the region. In addition Leamington Brakes (Boys) teams who play in the Midland Junior Premier League will also play some of their games at the NWG.
The high standards of all three clubs has been reflected with the recent award of the Football Association’s Charter Standard status to Leamington Brakes FC only three years after formation, whilst the Leamington Lions have gone one better by achieving Charter Standard Development Club status. Leamington FC is hopeful that they will receive Charter Standard Adult Club status in the next few weeks to enable the clubs to jointly move forward in pursuit of Charter Standard Community Club status, the ultimate accolade.
Commenting on the signing, Leamington FC Chairman David Hucker said:
“Considerable thought has gone into this ground-breaking agreement to ensure it meets the needs of all three clubs.
"Whilst initially for 5 years we hope it will continue for many years to come. We believe that this will act as a catalyst for health and education initiatives, partnerships with other local and regional agencies and support from the local community.
"We are three family orientated clubs that take great pride in creating a safe welcoming environment.”
Leamington FC Community Development Officer Jim Scott said:
“This agreement formalises the informal relationships which has developed between the clubs in the past three years. It will be exciting to see over 400 boys, girls, ladies and men playing in the club colours next season.
"More importantly, this is a major step forward in the combined ambitions of all three clubs as we seek to develop facilities and opportunities for the whole of the Leamington community. It means we can deliver enhanced coaching in schools and within the community as well as accelerating the personal development of players and coaches. Pooling our resources and expertise will enable us to move forward at a greater pace.”