Coventry City Ladies FC have some of the most talented junior footballers in the country, all of whom are currently sharing the passion and delight of many potential Olympians of the 2012 London games award.
The club faces dilemmas as they prepare for their promotion chasing season back to the Premiership. Those players in the U12’s, U14’s and even the youngsters in the U16’s could be representing their country in seven years time, but without a sponsor these talented players may not ever represent their country.
There has always been a massive and disproportionate difference in the energy, enthusiasm and ability of the girls versus the interest of the business community and the ability of the mens’ club to support the ‘ladies. Many Coventrians think that CCFC support the ‘Ladies, but the reality is they don’t and right now can’t.
The ladies side of the club faces the same situation as Birmingham City Ladies last week as they slipped to virtual administration. But for the generosity of the Birmingham Board they now have the cash they need to go forward and continue their outstanding work.
Chairman of the Coventry City Ladies Centre of Excellence, David Singleton explains: “CCLFC is one of the best kept sporting secrets in the City. We have some amazing talent that needs developing, nurturing and kept in the City. We have tried to attract sponsors without luck and appeal to business leaders to support a wonderful ‘good news’ club who are determined to realise the footballing dreams of the girls in Coventry. Ladies football is the fastest growing female sport in the Country with over 30,000 fans supporting games at the UEFA 2005 in Manchester and we know that we can add value to enterprising organisations in the Midlands. It would be a tragedy if we were not able to invest in the future of the girls as we would like to. Our spirits are high and we all love competing in the Midlands and at tournaments around the country, and really want to keep the legacy going”
Coventry has the largest ladies football club in the country with over 250 players in the FA Centre of Excellence and the Development club and has been developing players of all levels for over 13 years.
Martin Igoe, club founder and chairman of Coventry City Ladies Development Club is equally passionate about the future of the game, but remains cautious about the club’s future: “We have tried over the years to attract the interest of the mens club without luck, and because of our professional approach to the game many business owners think we are run by the club making it very difficult to attract their interest in us. Every season we fill the media with great stories of success and we know we can build on it with support from the City. We have just seven years to develop our players into world class athletes and give Coventry girls the once in a life time chance to compete on the World stage”
Should anyone like to get involved, please e-mail Martin or David on CCLFC@Hotmail.com or call David Singleton on 07808 094112
For interviews or picture opportunities, call David Singleton.