18/10/2026
Thank you for taking the time to visit us yesterday, Robbie, and for showing such genuine interest in our club, its people and our ambitions. 👏⚽
We've made tremendous progress in recent years, both on and off the pitch, but we're determined that this is just the beginning.
Our ambition goes far beyond winning football matches. We want to build a sustainable club that our community can be proud of, with facilities that match our aspirations and a clear pathway for local youngsters to progress from youth football into our senior teams.
Like so many grassroots clubs, we're fortunate to have some fantastic volunteers and committee members who give up countless hours to keep everything moving forward. With the right support and investment, we believe there's so much more we can achieve.
We really appreciate your offer of support and look forward to working together to turn these ambitions into reality.
As for the result yesterday… we'll make sure you get to see us win next time! 😉⚫⚪
Today I visited Long Sutton Athletic Football Club, meeting with committee members and the manager ahead of their match to discuss the club’s ambitions and long-term plans.
Following several successful seasons and promotions, the club is looking to progress further through the leagues. However, improvements to their grounds and facilities are needed to meet the requirements for promotion.
We discussed some promising ideas for developing the facilities, strengthening the club’s future and creating more opportunities for local players.
I’ve offered my full support in helping the club identify funding opportunities, apply for grants and work towards achieving these goals.
Having played football myself throughout my childhood and teenage years, I understand how much grassroots football has to offer. It’s more than just a game. It provides opportunities to build friendships, develop confidence, stay active and feel part of a team. For some young people, their local football club is one of the few places they have these opportunities.
I particularly admire the club’s ambition to develop local talent and provide a pathway from youth football through to the senior teams, giving younger players something to work towards.
After our discussions, I stayed to watch the match against Crowland Town FC. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Long Sutton’s day, losing 4–2 against tough opposition.
A big thank you to everyone at the club for the warm welcome, and particularly to the volunteers and committee members who dedicate their time to keeping it running.
I’m looking forward to supporting the club as they work towards their ambitions. Investing in grassroots sport is an investment in our young people and the wider community.
