THE £40,000 WEEKEND FOR THREE SCHOOL PITCHES

The Kingsmere FC Foundation’s winter drive cleared its target by 22 per cent. Every pound goes back into coaching at three primary schools across the town.

The total beat last year’s campaign and passed its own target inside 48 hours. The money pays for kit, floodlights on three school pitches, and three part-time coaches for the after-school sessions.

“It’s not charity, it’s investment,” the Foundation lead said. “These are the players, coaches and supporters of the next twenty years. We’re just getting to them early.”