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Pool's free soccer treat
IT may be the close season, but Blackpool FC are behind a massive children's soccer celebration in town on Saturday week.
The Festival of Football will take place at Palatine Sports College and involve over 100 children.
Blackpool FC Community Trust are organising the free event, which will include five-a-side competitions, a crossbar challenge and a 'skills corridor' to be overseen by FA coaches.
Children from St George's Business and Enterprise College, Highfield Humanities College, Revoe Community Primary, St Cuthbert's RC Primary, Waterloo Primary, Rose-acre Primary, Thames Primary and host school Palatine have all been invited to attend the Festival of Football.
And the plan is for one of Blackpool's senior stars to make a guest appearance alongside BFC mascot Bloomfield Bear to present commemorative medals and goodie bags to all the children taking part.
Derek Spence, who runs the Community scheme with his wife Lyn, is looking forward to the event.
He said: "This is all about promoting the community and engaging children, helping them to learn different skills."
Former Seasiders striker Derek, who won 29 Northern Ireland caps, and Lyn have been working to promote the game in Blackpool for 15 years.
And they are extremely excited about the 100,000 injection the community trust has received courtesy of the Football League Trust and Blackpool Council.
Almost half this sum has been awarded by the Big Lottery/Fair Share fund, which aims to create new opportunities for local people.
Spence said: "As a charitable trust we can attract more funding that will impact upon the whole Blackpool area.
"The football in the community project has a history of creating jobs for people and giving people the know-how to work as coaches in Blackpool."
Spence added: "We are really excited about creating a feelgood factor in Blackpool and helping kids who have lost their way."
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Weather for Blackpool
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
