The North-East Club made it through the County and Regional judging panels before going on to represent the North of England in the National finals against 8 other Regional representative sides. In a close-fought competition the FA judged that both Longhoughton and Winwick Athletic in Cheshire deserved to take the National title and made a joint award to the delighted clubs.
The award recognises Longhoughton’s outstanding contribution to football development within the North-East and its key role within the wider community. The Club currently fields 180 players from age 6-17 supported by 26 qualified FA coaches and a veritable army of enthusiastic volunteers. Indeed, Longhoughton’s development of its volunteer workforce stood out. The Club’s policy of developing its older teenagers as referees and coaches and getting them involved with younger teams provided a positive outlet for the older players and revitalised the Club at every level.
Just as impressive was the Club’s wider work within the community. This included the delivery of free football to Longhoughton Primary School as part of the curriculum, its support of local disability sport festivals and its fundraising activities, such as the Border Challenge and the recent 24 hr 5 a-side marathon, which raised over £5000 for good causes.
The Club’s role in working with the Longhoughton Village Development Trust in gaining Football Foundation funding to build the impressive £1.5 million Westfield Park Football and Community Venue typifies the use of football as a catalyst to benefit everyone in the wider community. Westfield Park will be a superb base for the club as well as providing a venue for many other community groups representing a broad spectrum of age groups and interests. Work is nearing completion and handover is scheduled for 21 September.
Chairman Paul Kiddell said; “To win a National FA award is absolutely fantastic and quite overwhelming. For a while we have been acknowledged as an important County and Regional centre of football development but to have our efforts recognised by those at the very top of the English game is an unbelievable achievement for our rural club. Our success is testament to the hard work put in by all of our coaches and dedicated volunteers who are backed by our highly supportive parents, players and sponsors who all combine to make our club the huge success that it is today. As a result, Longhoughton is a thriving Club that provides almost 200 local boys and girls with a fantastic environment in which to enjoy the beautiful game!”
“The FA has long recognised that a truly successful football club cannot operate in isolation but needs to function at the very heart of the local community. We have achieved this in spectacular fashion as evidenced by the £1.5 million Westfield Park development. So many groups have supported us during our rapid rise from small village club to a nationally recognised centre of football development. I would like to thank the Longhoughton Village Development Trust, the Parish Council, RAF Boulmer, Alnwick Sports Council, the Football Foundation and our great friends at Northumberland FA for all their support and guidance. The future looks very bright for our Club but we must not be complacent and we look forward to making even greater progress in the years ahead."
Mark Woodhall, Football Development Officer, commented "We are delighted that Longhoughton have been given this award, which is in recognition of not only their club based activities but their contribution to the local community. The whole club, players, coaches, volunteers and parents have been integral to the clubs development over recent years and this award is the culmination of a lot of hard work. With the impending opening of the new football facility, Longhoughton Rangers are set to provide further opportunities to their members and the local community and cement their place as a recognised centre of best practice - not only in the county but across the country."
Northumberland FA would like to pass on their congratulations to all members of the club, who have become the County's first National Charter Standard award winners!!