Epsom, 05/08/24 – Epsom & Ewell Colts FC, a grassroots football club that has been a staple in the community for years, is facing a dire situation. Blenheim High School, which has been a core venue for our girls grassroot players for over 20 years, has decided to cancel our booking to make way for their selective Chelsea FC Foundation. This decision affects 170 girls from U8 upwards who now have no place to train and play the sport they love. In previous years, this has also been the case at other venues, with Chelsea being given preferential treatment over our existing bookings at Nonsuch Girls School.
Our club has provided access to football for boys and girls for half a century and it is run solely by an army of volunteers. We do this not only for the love of the game but because we know how essential it is to our community and the lives of our young people. Often teams are the crucial ‘third space’ that children and young people need outside of home and school, which contributes hugely to their confidence and social well-being
Pauline Russell, Chairwoman of the Club said “The decision to displace our players in favour of a professional club’s pathway after so many years has been hard to take. It also goes against the objectives and aims of the school that’s listed in their last annual report,’’ It does not feel like the school has considered the needs for their facilities by the local community, which would have improved the lives of local inhabitants as noted in their Trustees’ report.’’
The club have created an online petition which provides an opportunity for people from the local and wider grassroots communities to show their support and help make a difference. Sign up using the link below
