• Justin Madders MP visited the Chester and Wirral Football League as part of The Football Association’s #FootballFootprint Campaign to take part in a training session

• Justin was awarded The FA’s Grassroots Champion award by the Cheshire FA to recognise his ongoing support for the grassroots game in his constituency

On Friday evening, Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, visited the Chester and Wirral Football League at Vauxhall Motors FC to learn more about how investments through The FA and Cheshire FA are widening grassroots participation and improving facilities in his local community.

During the visit, Justin donned his football boots to take part in an 11-a-side match as part of the League’s Elevens programme which is designed to be flexible around people's busy lifestyles to make football more accessible for players.

In recognition of his support for the game in his constituency, Cameron Foster, Senior Football Development Officer of the Cheshire FA then presented Justin with the FA’s Grassroots Champion award.

This visit is part of the #FootballFootprint Campaign which is being run by The FA, the not-for profit national governing body for the game in England, in conjunction with local County FAs.

The campaign is giving MPs an opportunity to meet with the army of workers and volunteers that make grassroots football possible at a local level and to visit showcase sites, initiatives and matches.

Justin Madders MP said:

“I was delighted to visit the Chester and Wirral League for a kick around and to learn more about the work being done to deliver and improve football in the local area. Elevens is a great example of why investment in the grassroots game is so important – it makes football accessible for players of all abilities and most importantly, it’s an opportunity for people to get together, stay fit and socialise after a busy week”.

Cameron Foster, Senior Football Development Officer at Cheshire FA, said:

“It was great to welcome Justin to the pitch to play Elevens with the Chester and Wirral Football League. With more and more adults not being able to access the 11-a-side game due to not being able to commit to weekend football every week or not having the confidence to play in those environments, Elevens is a more flexible style of football in which even the busiest people can get involved - much like Justin!”