[size=4]Soccer heroes Witton Albion will celebrate last season’s promotion triumph on Saturday (November 3) – by honouring the nation’s armed forces.
The club’s achievements were to be marked by a civic reception for players, management and directors, jointly hosted by the Borough and Town Councils at Northwich Memorial Hall.
But Witton, who dedicated their Wincham Park Ground to Help for Heroes in 2010, requested that that the reception cash should go to their adopted charity and the Royal British Legion.
Both Councils readily agreed to sponsor the game against Grantham Town – the NPL Premier League Club’s last home fixture before Remembrance Sunday.
On Saturday, at half-time, Chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Pam Booher, will present club chairman Mark Harris with a cheque to be divided equally between the two charities.
The presentation will be attended by CWAC Leader Mike Jones, Councillor Terry Murphy, a former Albion player and manager representing the Northwich Town Council, and Councillors from both authorities.
Local organiser Kane Gunter, who served in the Royal Signals for twelve years, will represent Help for Heroes and local chairman Marshall Hunter of the Royal British Legion.
Cadets will collect on behalf of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and the
Club has invited local schoolchildren to the match.
Said Kane, also a Royal British Legion case worker, said: “It is a tremendous gesture from the club and one which will certainly be fully appreciated by both charities.
“Witton Albion is a first class community club with a very good record for backing the services. I’m sure the supporters will be fully behind the decision to forgo the civic reception to help such a good cause.”
The sponsorship cash will help fund the vital rehabilitation carried out by the Legion and Help for Heroes among serving and wounded ex-servicemen and their families.
Club chairman Mark Harris said: “A civic reception would have been much appreciated but by agreeing to our request the Councils have enabled everyone who supports the club to be involved on what we are sure will be a memorable day for all concerned.”
Council Leader Mike Jones, who will be at Saturday’s presentation, revealed that the Council had readily agreed to the club’s suggestion which had fitted in perfectly with the authority’s decision to sign the Cheshire Community Covenant.
CWAC, together with Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington Councils, recently pledged to back organisations, military and civilian, attempting to help Britain’s servicemen and women.
Said Councillor Jones, a former TA officer: “Witton Albion can be proud of their promotion and prouder still of the way they have chosen to celebrate that achievement”. [/size]