AN MP has been given an award for championing grassroots football in Clacton.

Giles Watling, MP for the town, visited facilities across Clacton as part of the Football Association’s Football Footprint campaign.

He saw how funding is improving local resources and increasing participation. Mr Watling met with girls participating in the SSE Wildcats programme, which offers girls between five and 11 the opportunity to play.

He also met with budding boy players and was awarded a grassroots champion award for his support.

Stephen Andrews, FC Clacton owner and company secretary, and Nick Emery, county development manager at the Essex County FA, presented Giles with his award.

Mr Watling said: “I was honoured to receive The FA’s Grassroots Champion award as part of their #FootballFootprint campaign.”

“Grassroots sport is a lifeline to local communities, helping people with their health and well-being, nurturing talent and, most importantly, bringing people together.

“I was delighted to see girls participating in football with the SSE Wildcats and an enthusiastic group of voluntary coaches, and the chairman.”

“The work that The FA, the Essex County FA and FC Clacton are doing to widen grassroots participation, improve facilities and support player development in the county is fantastic and I’m proud to support them as they continue their great work.”

Mr Emery added: “We were delighted Giles was able to spend the morning with us, learning more about the #FootballFootprint in Clacton.

“Thousands of volunteers help us to support local players week in, week out to make grassroots possible so we were thrilled to participate in #FootballFootprint, which champions their hard work and dedication to the game.”

If you’d like to find out more about getting involved in grassroots Essex football as a player, coach, referee, volunteer or in any other way, visit www.essexfa.com