Howdens Game Changer Programme success for Eccleshall FC
Tue 10th June 2025 | Eccleshall | By Media Team
Following the recent ground developments at their Stoke Signage Stadium base during the 2024/25 season, Eccleshall are celebrating after being notified that their application earlier this year to the #Howdens Game Changer Programme with England Football and Staffordshire FA, was successful.
Under the Programme, the club have been awarded a new kitchen for free which will greatly enhance their current catering facilities and further improve the overall spectator experience for visitors to the club.
Club secretary, Jim Tunney, said: “Our current refreshments bar was installed a few years back and has proved very popular with the provision of food and hospitality to supporters, match and club officials and visiting teams. However, match day demand has now outgrown the kitchen facilities we have, and they are too small for our volunteer catering staff. Our catering ladies, Diane and Julie, are delighted that our application was successful and we cannot wait to get started on the installation of the new units and equipment. The award is brilliant news for Eccleshall FC”.
Former professional footballer, and Howdens Game Changer Ambassador, Chris Kamara MBE said: “When I started out, clubhouse facilities were pretty basic! I went to many a tournament with just a bag of crisps and some water to keep me going, hoping that the manager would remember to bring the fruit for our half time snack. And, if we won, we’d often stop off at the chippie on the way home! Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then, but many clubhouses still need help to improve much needed facilities. So, the new kitchens from Howdens will make a real difference to grassroots clubs and bringing local communities together”.
James Kendall, Director of Football Development at The FA, said: “We have around 18,000 grassroots football clubs across the country, and they are the cornerstone of our national game. A key part of our grassroots strategy is our commitment to strengthen every aspect of local clubs, particularly facilities which play such a crucial role in providing the right environment to play and gather. We’re really delighted to be working in partnership with Howdens on this unique Game Changer programme. By providing new kitchens at clubs which are most in need, we aim to help them grow and thrive and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of their players, volunteers, supporters and the wider community”.
Since receiving the award notification, club chairman, Neil Washington, together with other club members, has been busy extending the existing kitchen area and doing all the necessary preparatory work before the installation can take place. They are hoping that the work can be completed in time for the start of the new season.
Many thanks to Eccleshall FC for providing this article.
Howdens Game Changer Programme success for Eccleshall FC
Tue 10th June 2025 | Eccleshall
By Media Team
Following the recent ground developments at their Stoke Signage Stadium base during the 2024/25 season, Eccleshall are celebrating after being notified that their application earlier this year to the #Howdens Game Changer Programme with England Football and Staffordshire FA, was successful.
Under the Programme, the club have been awarded a new kitchen for free which will greatly enhance their current catering facilities and further improve the overall spectator experience for visitors to the club.
Club secretary, Jim Tunney, said: “Our current refreshments bar was installed a few years back and has proved very popular with the provision of food and hospitality to supporters, match and club officials and visiting teams. However, match day demand has now outgrown the kitchen facilities we have, and they are too small for our volunteer catering staff. Our catering ladies, Diane and Julie, are delighted that our application was successful and we cannot wait to get started on the installation of the new units and equipment. The award is brilliant news for Eccleshall FC”.
Former professional footballer, and Howdens Game Changer Ambassador, Chris Kamara MBE said: “When I started out, clubhouse facilities were pretty basic! I went to many a tournament with just a bag of crisps and some water to keep me going, hoping that the manager would remember to bring the fruit for our half time snack. And, if we won, we’d often stop off at the chippie on the way home! Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then, but many clubhouses still need help to improve much needed facilities. So, the new kitchens from Howdens will make a real difference to grassroots clubs and bringing local communities together”.
James Kendall, Director of Football Development at The FA, said: “We have around 18,000 grassroots football clubs across the country, and they are the cornerstone of our national game. A key part of our grassroots strategy is our commitment to strengthen every aspect of local clubs, particularly facilities which play such a crucial role in providing the right environment to play and gather. We’re really delighted to be working in partnership with Howdens on this unique Game Changer programme. By providing new kitchens at clubs which are most in need, we aim to help them grow and thrive and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of their players, volunteers, supporters and the wider community”.
Since receiving the award notification, club chairman, Neil Washington, together with other club members, has been busy extending the existing kitchen area and doing all the necessary preparatory work before the installation can take place. They are hoping that the work can be completed in time for the start of the new season.
Many thanks to Eccleshall FC for providing this article.
