A football club has thanked a group of businesspeople for a £500 donation.

Meden Vale Colts said the money from The Armchair Club would particularly help its work to encourage more girls to join the sport.

Colts chairman Adam Elce said: “We pride ourselves on being accessible to all children, no matter their age, experience or ability. We are proud to lead in encouraging more girls into the sport.

“Through the donation we will be able to support more girls playing the game, by providing equipment, pitches, and qualified coaches, as well as keeping this affordable for parents.

“Thank you for all your support.”

The Armchair Club, a group of sports-minded businesspeople, backs local sports people and clubs with financial help.

Pictured with some of the club’s young players are The Armchair Club’s Geoff Waller (second left) and Gary Jordan (right) with Meden Vale Colts president Graham Hall (left

Photo: Nicki Biggs and Sue Bridges (Head Teacher)

Our Ambitious Athlete Awards scheme has received a photo and thank you message from King Edward Primary School students for our donations which will allow them to continue with their community sports clubs.

Gemma Goddard – PE Coordinator at King Edward Primary School says:

We would like to thank Nicki Biggs (School Games) and the Mansfield Armchair Club for providing funding opportunities for our children to play sports in the local community. This funding will contribute towards monthly training/match fees and kits required to play their chosen sports.

The Armchair Club have joined Mansfield Town Community Trust as a Community Partner and we look forward to strengthening the relationship between both organisations.

MTCT will be announcing our partnership on their social media. They are also in the process of finalising their Community Partners initiative for the upcoming season.

For further information about MTCT contact Alex Cartwright, Business & Project Development Manager, Mansfield Town Community Trust, Quarry Lane, Mansfield, NG18 5DA

Landline: 01623 656920 | Mobile: 07709 754164

Thanks again Gary Jordan, Geoff Waller and the Armchair Club for your support as you know it’s appreciated by myself the youngsters their parents and guardians and all of the coaches.

Wayne Turner indicated how the money would be sent on new equipment and that all support is really appreciated. The Rainworth & Blidworth boxing & fitness club is in desperate need of a mezzanine and equipment to accommodate the growing numbers of youngsters that attend every week and this is the start of our fundraising drive

If any businesses, community groups or individuals are interested in helping then please email me malcolm@hall-fast.com thanks #GetKidsIntoSport

I am very sorry and sad to share the news that John Slater passed away on Sunday 12^th December after a long battle against cancer.

John was a founder member of the AC and was the person who organised the Question of Sport event from the outset. John was Sales Manager at Abacus and at the point that Abacus took effective control of MTFC, he moved across to become the Stags Commercial Manager before eventually returning to Abacus and then subsequently moved on to work for a company based in France who also manufactured street lighting.

John was made an Honorary member of the AC earlier this year in recognition of his years of support. John was a keen golfer and back in the day was also employed part-time as a football scout, working for a number of League clubs, preparing reports on promising players or briefing a team on their upcoming opponents.  John was also “honest John” giving tips on horse racing. In recent years he played this role to perfection when he and Nicola came to our home for our annual Grand National lunch when he was also the bookie.

Sharon and I were going over to see him and Nicola on Thursday but this was postponed until Monday 13th. So very sadly we did not get to say goodbye to a wonderful guy. The world would be a better place if it were full of people like John.

MANSFIELD CYCLIST ROSS LAMB WINS EAST MIDLANDS ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Mansfield’s best kept secret is how local businessman Malcolm Hall describes Pro Cyclist Ross Lamb as. ‘’He gets on with the business of winning without the public support he deserves. I’ve known Ross since 2017 when I was part sponsor for the team he raced with and during that year he came 2nd in the championships, something that has rested heavy with him ever since, so winning this year was an itch he needed to scratch’’  

Ross rides for British Team Swift Carbon UK and has brought the cup home after a long wait since Chris Allcock won the race in 1996. He joins an elite club of Mansfield cyclists winning championships which also includes Jonno Harper who took the cyclo cross double in 2015. 

Ross’s race calendar has kept him away from the championships for some years as he has been racing on the continent in both Belgium and France, but it was his performances there that came to the attention of Swift who had no hesitation in offering him a place on the team when it was formed. 

This year he has been in world level events including prestigious races such as the Tour of Portugal and the Tour of Britain where he has been rubbing shoulders with Mark Cavendish and World Champion Julien Alaphillipe to name but two. 

Friend and mentor Mick Padley said “after the quality miles he put in as part of the aforementioned races I knew he would be carrying some form and when he took a solid 4th at the Elite event the Beaumont Trophy, round the tough Northumberland moors, I felt sure he had the legs to do the business at the East Midlands Championships” 

‘’At the Championship race Ross was keen to push the pace on and dragged 3 other riders away with him and when I assessed his breakaway companions, I knew the win was a possibility and sure enough he brought it home’’. 

But Ross hasn’t got time to rest on his laurels as he prepares for his final race of the season the National Championships held at Lincoln on the 17th October. “The Nationals are a tough race “said Ross “with all the pro riders coming home from around Europe to challenge for the title but I’ll be giving it my best to get my hometown of Mansfield’s name to the fore” 

The Nationals consist of 13 ascents of the infamous cobbled climb of Michael Gate but racing on cobbles is something that Ross became accustomed to during his time in Belgium.

Onto Ellough park in Suffolk driving in the F160 sprint championship on the 18th this was Owens first drive at the circuit he set very competitive times during
practice,unfortunately during heat 2 his Kart suffered very heavy damage thankfully Owen was OK, we managed to get him back on track for heat 3 ,in the final he secured another third place podium finish.

Using his spare kart this places him in second place in the sprint championship for this weekend’s final round in F160 held at Rye House 🤞

Thanks Derek & Owen Speirs

Source: Channel 4 Sport

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