Awards were presented to young players in recognition of their Football successes by MP

Another highly successful season was celebrated by Doverhouse Lions Youth and Disability FC, whose home ground is the Roehampton Playing Fields, at their 13th Annual Awards ceremony held on 30 June at the Putney Leisure Centre.

Awards were presented to young players in recognition of their Football successes across many categories. These included no fewer than three teams holding the titles of Surrey League Winners and one team securing the ‘double’ as the Surrey League and Cup Winners.

With a large crowd of players, families and supporters in attendance the Lions showcased the breadth of talent the Club has in their Under 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 teams. It was a chance, too, to thank the many volunteers who help turn out the Club’s teams each week along with the Club’s many generous sponsors who help to make all these achievements possible.

To the delight of players and parents Doverhouse Lions were joined by three special guests who were on hand to award the trophies: Putney MP Justine Greening, Mike McSweeney (CEO of the Fulham FC Foundation) and Peter Anthony, co-chair of the Roehampton Playing Fields Community Trust which is seeking to secure the future of the Roehampton Playing Fields as a community asset.

Justine Greening, a strong supporter of Doverhouse Lions, shared many wise words with the young players and urged them to remain focused, dedicated and committed, reinforcing the values that the Lions seek to instil in their young players and emphasising that hard work reaps rewards.

Doverhouse Lions has been working in partnership with Fulham FC for the past two years and the relationship continues to grow from strength to strength, offering young people opportunities and support to build career paths and personal development and confidence, both within and beyond sport.

Peter Anthony explained that the Roehampton Playing Fields Community Trust has been formed to ensure that the Roehampton Playing Fields continue to be run as a community asset for the benefit of all those with a passion for, and interest in, this unique site. The Trust now commands overwhelming support across all sections of the community. Its robust and sustainable plans for community management of the Roehampton Playing Fields are strongly backed by Justine Greening and were backed by all West Putney councillors and candidates from all parties at the last Council elections. If Wandsworth Borough Council now make good their promise last December to give the community the opportunity to take over the running of the Playing Fields, the Trust will secure major investment for the site and turn it into one of the best sporting facilities of its kind in the capital.

To rapturous applause Peter Anthony confirmed that the local community have already pledged over £200,000 to kickstart the development of the run-down facilities at the Playing Fields, and that fundraising continues apace.

Doverhouse Lions Youth and Disability FC, working closely in partnership with the Roehampton Playing Fields Community Trust and with Wandsworth Council, and with fantastic support from newly promoted Fulham FC (who brought their magnificent and inspiring Premiership Promotion Trophy to the Awards Evening), look forward to achieving even greater success both on and off the pitch for all our young people, across the community, in the coming season.