IN A unique partnership in this area Kendal FC, Wattsfield Youth FC and Kirkbie Kendal School have joined together to form a new organisation the Kendal Town/Wattsfield Community Football Club.

The new club has been awarded the Football Association's highest grass-roots football award to become an FA Charter Standard Community Club the only one so far in the Westmorland County FA district.

At Town's Parkside ground on Friday, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron (front right) presented the award to Phil Cottam (front left) the chairman's project, watched by (left to right) Town secretary Craig Campbell, Kirkbie Kendal's Paul Caulfield and Gary Asplin and Andy Roe of Westmorland FA.

Dean Grice, the Westmorland FA Football Development Officer, said: "Players will be able to start their footballing careers at Wattsfield Youth and progress all the way through to hopefully representing Kendal Town FC in the UniBond League."

Kirkbie Kendal School will benefit from extra funding from the County FA to run projects such as School Club Links, which offers not only the chance to play football at school but to be involved in a well-organised junior club. The Kendal Town/Wattsfield Community Football Club's development plan is also committed to developing volunteer involvement in areas such as refereeing, administration and coaching. (D5K252SB1) See Football for more....