This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2014at 11:11 am by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

Premier League Trophy Comes To Birchwood Leisure Centre

It was a day to live long in the memory of hundreds of football fans as they descended on Active Nation’s Birchwood Leisure Centre to see one of the sport’s most famous pieces of silverware – the Barclays Premier League Trophy.

Kids on their school holidays, families, football fans and local teams – including the Lincolnshire County Cup holders the U13 Birchwood Colts – all took part in football activity sessions before going to see the trophy.

Matches were played with help from the Birchwood Colts UEFA B Coach Jay Martin. Football fitness and skills sessions were run on the Astroturf and former Lincoln City Player Dean Walling from Deano’s Pro Soccer Academy was on hand with some impressive kit to measure the speed of goal shots in the sports hall.

Those taking part might not have been able to agree on the best team in the league, but up to 1,000 people were united in the opinion that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity too good to miss. Mum’s carrying their babies, teddy bears and whole teams posed with the trophy during the two hour visit.

James, 8, popped down to the centre during his Easter holidays. He said: “This is just brilliant. We weren’t allowed to touch it today, but when I’m older I’d love to play for Liverpool, win the trophy and run round the pitch at Anfield with it!”

The visit was organised by Barclays, the Premier League’s title sponsor, as part of their ‘Thank you’ campaign that aims to recognise fans, community heroes and players for the way they support, volunteer and play the game from grassroots football right up to the Barclays Premier League.

David Wheldon, from Barclays, said: “This season we want to say thank you to those who make such a positive contribution to football and the Barclays Premier League.

“We hope seeing the Barclays Premier League trophy at Birchwood Leisure Centre will inspire the young players and the volunteers to continue playing and supporting football.”

Geoff Tait from Active Nation’s Birchwood Leisure Centre said: “As a charity we are on a mission to persuade the nation to be active. What better way is there to do this than by inspiring hundreds of young footballers by giving them access to the country’s top football trophy?

“We have all had a great day, who knows we might have inspired a future captain of England or Leeds United!”