For more information on Hyde United’s community activities, please visit http://www.hydecommunitymatters.com/ where you will find up to date news on everything relating to Hyde in the Community. Below is a sample of some of the work completed previously by the club over the last few seasons.
Hyde FC launches new community newspaper with grant of £17,195 from Football Conference Trust
A major community initiative by Hyde Football Club was launched at a press conference at Ewen Fields on Friday October 4th 2013
COMMUNITY MATTERS will be a free monthly community newsletter for Hyde which has been created to give a voice of the community. Initially it will be 16 pages with special features and contributions from local schools and special sections for community and ethnic groups.
Mike Allcock (Editor), Brian Lee (Chairman, Football Conference Trust) and Dennis Leeman (PFA Community Liaison Executive)
Sport will also play a big part with special emphasis on sport for young people as well as senior sports.
Colin Fielding (Hyde Director), Councillor Joe Kitchen (The Worshipful The Civic Mayor of Tameside), Shirley Kitchen (Mayoress of Tameside) and Lord Pendry (President of the Football Foundation)
The project is being managed by Hyde FC Directors Trevor Leech and Mark Worthington along with new Editor Mike Allcock from the Hyde FC Academy and Luke Edwards the Hyde FC Press Officer.
Trevor Leech (Hyde Director), Brian Lee (Chairman, Football Conference Trust) and Mark Worthington (Hyde Director)
The newsletter is being produced by students from Hyde FC Academy as an educational and community project, supervised by a volunteer team of media and design professionals.
Jonathan Reynolds MP for Stalybridge and Hyde
The first issue is due early November.
Anyone interested in assisting with the project or sponsoring sections should contact Trevor Leech on 07976 761 550
Classic Car Show & Military Vintage Vehicles at Hyde FC
Crowds turned out in force for the annual SSAFA Event on 20th October 2013. The entrance fee was just one pound and Children were free. This included The Motor Show and a live Concert. Many felt they had stepped back in time as Security Men wore World War II Uniforms and Ladies wore 1940s Style Costume. Some Children dressed as evacuees, pulling parents in different directions to the various displays.
Sgt Simon Rowland and Daughter Abyigail SSAFA Entertainers
Gentlemen became boys at heart again admiring the Vehicles, or more appropriately Works of Art as Vintage Vehicles and Classic Motorbikes were proudly displayed. An up to date Speedway Bike from an upcoming local rider drew great attention as did Mike Radcliffe’s incredible Manchester City Car, which certainly had the wow factor. It was a Carnival atmosphere.
GMP ( Hyde Branch) The Police Cadets
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Hyde Branch were brilliant and The Police Cadets were out in full force led by Bev Linney, PCSO and assisted with organising the traffic. They too had excellent communications mixing with the public and were a credit to GMP for their professional training.
Paul Jackson and His GPW 1944 Vehicle
247 (Ashton) Squadron Air Cadets paraded very smartly helping SSAFA take gate tickets and were of great assistance to everyone. They were led by Steve Craig (CI) and Ian Wilson (Flt Lt) and cheered wildly as their Sgt Simon Rowland and Daughter Abigail, a 13 year old Air Cadet, sang in the live concert. Both are in the band SAPPHIRE BLUE, and performed as a Duo act with Rock songs to the packed audience, who had no doubt in asking for appreciative encores.
Manchester City Car
Buzz Hawkins, Creator of THE BRADSHAWS had his huge fan base laughing all the way home. He sang his written original SSAFA Jolly songs that everyone wanted to learn! Star Shelia G White entranced the audiences as did Billy Porter, a Navy Veteran and Local Artist Singing his new SSAFA upbeat Patriotic Song Captivated and leaving the crowds wanting more. The SSAFA Choir sang outstanding original songs and brave Choir members sang solo for the first time, who amazed everyone with their hidden talent, so much so, the audience believed were professional, Kim Everett, Jane Howard and Charlotte Haydon Williams.
Mike Radcliffe and His Vintage Bentley
13 year old Alex Lee also sang, and sounded like a future pop star of great talent as was Olivia Garcia 13 year old, who will no doubt be a future Pop Queen. The ever-popular Denton Brass Band drew crowds of great support and appreciation for their scintillating performance.
Mary Gibbons, Hyde FC Director, said The Club was delighted to hold such a prestigious annual community event, which was the brainchild of Christina Howard, who organised such an outstanding event, and is the SSAFA Tameside PR Officer.
The Civic Mayor of Tameside, Cllr Joe Kitchen said he was happy to see so many families enjoy this event for a worthy charity and Roy Catterall, Deputy Lieutenant, Retired Wing Commander and SSAFA Greater Manchester Chairman said it was a proud day for SSAFA Awareness. These retired Brigadiers – Colonels – Wing Commanders are SSAFA Officials who run The Manchester SSAFA Branch and all are volunteers who work for SSAFA freely giving their time to help armed forces veterans.
WHAT IS SSAFA
SSAFA FORCES Help is a registered Charity formed in 1885 under Royal Charter to assist serving and ex-service members of HM Forces both at home and abroad. Every soldier is told when signing up to contact SSAFA when they leave to get help. Many never read the small print.
Within the Greater Manchester Branch there are 11 Divisions, each with its own staff of Volunteer Caseworkers who visit all applicants to assess their needs and raise the necessary funds. In Greater Manchester last year SSAFA dealt with over 1300 cases which now include members of the armed Forces who served in recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. A huge number have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The high rise in homeless veterans is worryingly overwhelming.
For SSAFA Tameside Help ring 0161 343 8152 and leave a message.
Hyde FC Workshop is Hit with Young Shoppers
Sharpshooting young shoppers made the most of a football workshop at a busy Hyde shopping centre in June 2013.
First team players from Hyde FC were there to pass on skills and advice to youngsters at the Clarendon Square event which was hosted by the popular football team.
Also in attendance to encourage budding young footballers of the future was Roary the Tiger, Hyde FC’s much loved mascot.
Malcolm Angus, Clarendon Square Manager, said: “It was terrific to link up with our local football team to offer this free workshop to the community.
“As the main shopping centre, at the heart of Hyde, we are always keen to find ways of making the most of all our community has to offer and we know the value of Hyde FC to the town.
“It is great for our football crazy young shoppers to be able to come and enjoy a masterclass with players which they look up to locally and are an inspiration to them.
“Who knows, we may even have welcomed a few budding young stars of the future who may one day wear the Hyde FC kit on the field.”
Hyde FC runs an active coaching programme for children through training camps at the weekend, after school and in the school holidays.
Andrew McAnulty, Director and Secretary of the Conference Premier club, said: “We had youngsters as young as three and up to the age of about 11 and 12 come and join us at the Clarendon Square workshop and some of them ended up staying for the full three and a half hours.
“This is the first time we have hosted a football workshop at a shopping centre and it was a great success. People were really pleased to see us out in the community, giving youngsters a chance to have a free and fun session with first team players.
“The location was perfect because not only did we have a good number of people attend the event but it was indoors so it was not weather dependent.”
Hyde in the Community
The club has always has very close ties with the community and is engaged in a wide range of activities inside and outside the club. These include:
Free use of supporters’ club facilities for community use
Free use of Hyde FC supporters’ club facilities for community use the supporters’ club, which is located just outside the ground, and accessible from the car park, is offered for use free of charge for any community group on weekday days and evenings. The only charge is when bar staff are required.
This has attracted many functions, large and small, during the past few years, from birthday parties, the royal jubilee weekend, Christmas parties for the elderly, and meeting facilities for many local groups.
Free use of the pitch and hospitality rooms
Whilst use of the playing surface is restricted during the playing season it has been used on a number of occasions for charity games such as the game between Manchester police and Manchester City ex-players raising funds for the relatives of the 2 policewomen murdered at nearby Mottram.
The hospitality rooms have been used as classrooms several times this season when local school children have been invited to the club and given themed talks on the club and how it works. The hospitality room is also available for free use with various businesses in the area for networking.
Free tickets to under-16s
This season the Club has offered free entrance tickets to under-16s when accompanied by an adult. The offer is taken into local schools when our volunteers visit and give talks, especially at primary level. By the end of the season every primary school in the greater Hyde area will have at least one visit. These visits are planned in advance with the teachers and normally involve the club mascot, Roary.
Armed forces
The club offers free entrance to some matches and discounted tickets in promotions exclusive to the members of the armed forces. The club has also made its facilities freely available to assist in money raising activities such as the recent SSAFA military and classic car exhibition in the grounds outside the club.
Disabled
The club not only provides free entrance to disabled but has now extended this to the carers for disabled.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)
Hyde FC was the first senior sports organisation to sign up for Just a Ball Game? (JBG?), the anti-homophobia campaign and to showcase the Time For Change-now! exhibition as part of the Think Before You Chant! campaign, amongst numerous events held in conjunction with JBG?
Ethnic community
The town has a very large Asian community, and the club’s chairman, Tahir Khan has been instrumental in strengthening links with the ethnic population and the club is part of an Asian led working group, I Love Hyde.
Elderly
The club has fixed its OAP entrance at £7, which is the lowest in the league and has hosted a number of OAP groups in its supporters’ club and hospitality rooms.
Football coaching for children
Members of the team and coaching staff are involved in regular coaching sessions for children both at weekend training camps and after school, and during school holidays which regularly involves first team players.
Tameside Radio
Through club historian Mike Pavasovic, Hyde FC has developed a close relationship with the local community radio station, 103.6FM Tameside Radio. Mike presents a weekly non-league football preview programme and is able to publicise any projects and events through his own show and the station as a whole. He recorded an interview with Lindsay England, director of Just a Ball Game, on the day that Hyde pledged its support to the campaign to eliminate homophobia from soccer.
Over the last 6 years or so, Mike’s links with local radio have helped Hyde to stage all-star matches which have raised money for causes such as the Soldiers’ Charity (formerly the Army Benevolent Fund) and Keep Your Eye on the Ball which seeks to raise awareness of testicular cancer.
Hyde FC Youth Academy
This is the second year that Hyde FC have run a full time scholarship program offering football and A Level qualifications to local young adults.
The program is open to boys and girls aged 16 to 19 on the 1st September and concentrates on sporting excellence in performance, with a route into semi-professional football through Hyde FC and its partner clubs at Abbey Hey FC and Egerton FC. The scholars are enrolled through Knutsford Academy School. This year we have a total of 66 scholars with the majority living in Manchester or Stockport postcodes.
We have one reserve under-21s team playing in the Lancashire League and 3 youth under-18s teams playing in the North West Youth Alliance league. Next season we aim to increase this as we aim to become the north west’s premier non-league academy.
The vast majority of these scholars if they weren’t part of this scheme would not be in education, employment or training.
Education
All of the scholars are taking the BTEC Level 3 diploma in sports which is the equivalent of 2 A Levels, and an additional NVQ sports qualification.
The majority of the scholars did not achieve the minimum 5 GCSEs at A to C grade to allow them to enrol and study at sixth form and college, and are benefiting from the program at Hyde FC which has enabled them to continue to progress with their education.
Sports achievement
All of the teams work with the scholars to allow them to develop and achieve their genetic ceiling in performance. The route into semi-professional football as a player, coach, manager, referee or fitness trainer is clear. This year 3 players have signed contracts with the first team at Hyde FC with another 8 gaining valuable semi-pro experience at Abbey Hey and Egerton FC.
Work experience
We have links through to a number of junior football clubs, which allows the scholars to work and get paid gaining experience as football coaches within junior football.
Community newspaper
As part of the development of the scholars, we have supported them in setting up a community newspaper, which will be delivered free into the east Manchester area, funded through advertising, and allowing the scholars to fund through advertising revenue a community coaching programme delivering sports into the local community and schools. The first edition of the North East Manchester Advertiser will be delivered at the end of November 2013 to 5000 homes and businesses, and will be monthly through the year, with the aim of moving to twice a month in 2014.
To summarise
Historically there is a massive drop in participation at 16 years of age in all sports and this project offers 100 places for youngsters in the age group 16 to 19 to continue in sport and to continue to develop their skills, fitness, and discipline and life skills. The results of youngsters at this age in dropping out of organised sports has a negative impact on health, learning, supportive behaviour and crime.
- The scheme keeps young people active in sport and part of a team.
- It ensures that they keep active and train regularly.
- It educates them in disciplinary matters.
- It educates them in RESPECT, showing respect to other people.
- It has a positive impact in reducing crime.
- It helps these youngsters in finding employment.
- It helps to ensure that a number of these youngsters continue to play sport for many years.
- The scheme will also have an impact on the reduction of crime.
