Local footballers train with Exeter City FC manager thanks to ELF fundraising auction
A lucky group of young footballers received a very special coaching session this week - thanks to our 2021 Christmas Auction.
In December, Exminster-based St Martin's Under 14s club placed the winning bid for an hour-long training session with Exeter City Football Club manager Matt Taylor.
Richard Bevan, Chief Executive of the League Managers Association who provided the prize, said: “We were really pleased to provide a coaching session with a football league manager for Exeter Leukaemia Fund. Once we knew the winners were local to Exeter, we asked Matt to take the session, and he very generously agreed to do so.”
Matt put the players through their paces at Exwick Sports Hub. He said: “It’s been different to the usual rigours of first team training and that environment, but it was very enjoyable. The kids’ application was outstanding from start to finish. Hopefully, they got a few bits and pieces from the session and enjoyed it."
He added: “The club does as much as it can in the community, and we try and do it in the right way and as much as we can. The games are coming thick and fast but it’s still worth taking time out to do coaching sessions like this and contribute to the community because that is what we are about as a club.”
We are extremely grateful to the LMA and Matt for giving their time to accommodate this fantastic prize. The ELF Christmas auction raised a superb sum of £6,508, funds which go a long way in helping us to support families across Devon affected by blood cancer. Matt was excellent during the session and St Martin’s couldn’t have picked a more in-form manager!
A heart-warming example of our great community coming together to do good. Thank you to all involved.