The Urmston football club making fans on and off the pitch

Trafford FC, based at Shawe View Stadium in Urmston, have some big plans for the future but have never forgotten their community roots.

The club, which is planning to build a new clubhouse and changing facilities, was formed just over 35 years ago and has always had strong community links. But, in recent times, the links have got even stronger with the club working with partners including Trafford Council to help local residents in a number of ways.

Trafford FC's work in the community includes:

• Helping care home residents: The club has very strong links with the Urmston care home Away Day Care and provides a place for some of Away Day Care's residents (vulnerable adults and people with special care requirements) to enjoy the football on a match day in a safe and caring environment. Residents are also able to get involved in the community by doing certain jobs around the club and the stadium like sweeping, cleaning, emptying bins, and stadium maintenance/repairs during the close-season.
   
• Support for community radio: Trafford FC support's Trafford General Hospital's bedside radio service, Radio Wishing Well. Every Friday evening the club put out the "Hit The North" show on the station. The show is all about Trafford FC, with interviews, fans' discussions, reviews of the previous game and previews of the next game. The club also helped the Station raising money by holding collections in their name.
   
• Helping veterans: About eight years ago, husband and wife veterans Claire and Chris Squires came to the club to help with the annual pre-game Remembrance Day commemorations at the nearest home fixture to 11 November. Since then, the link with Trafford Veterans CIC has seen fundraising and other events take place at Shawe View.
   
• Work placements: The club offers work experience for media students who help with the club’s online output, but has also had students gaining experience in the business of running a club, grounds keeping, physio/sports injuries, and hospitality. At the moment, the club has four students assisting and gaining experience in various departments.

In more general terms, Trafford FC is big on encouraging community and family engagement – and this season every home game is free entry to children with a paying adult.

Trafford FC plays in the eighth tier of the English football league pyramid and attracts average crowds of about 400 to home games.

Trafford FC's Director, Pete McGrath, said: 

"Trafford Football Club is not just about football. We are working so hard to develop something that is a key part of the community - something that everybody in the north of the borough can be proud of. A place where families and friends can gather and say to themselves "that was a good day!" We look forward to growing this side of the club, and building on the excellent relationship we already have with Trafford Council."

Cllr Eve Parker, Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, said: 

"Trafford FC is a fabulous community club which is clearly doing very well both on and off the pitch. It's philosophy of involving the community has to be applauded and I thank them so much for their hard work. Trafford Council is committed to providing culture, sport and heritage for everyone – and that is certainly the case at Trafford FC."