Witton honour armed forces to celebrate success

Witton Albion are celebrating their promotion to the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division by honouring the nation's armed forces this Saturday.

Instead of having money spent on a civic reception for their players and staff jointly hosted by their Borough and Town Councils at Northwich Memorial Hall, Witton asked civic leaders to sponsor a fixture with the fee donated to Help For Heroes and the Royal British Legion.

The two authorities agreed to sponsor the game against Grantham Town and Witton, who dedicated their Wincham Park ground to armed forces charity Help for Heroes in 2010, hope the funds will help support the vital ongoing rehabilitation work carried out by both the Legion and Help for Heroes among serving and wounded ex-servicemen and their families.

The Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division clash was chosen as the club's last home fixture before Remembrance Sunday and at half-time on Saturday Chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Pam Booher, will present Witton Albion Chairman Mark Harris with the sponsorship cheque to be divided equally between the two charities.

The presentation will also be attended by CWAC Leader Mike Jones, Councillor Terry Murphy, representatives from both authorities and Albion players, coaching staff and manager Brian Pritchard. Local Help for Heroes organiser Kane Gunter, who served in the Royal Signals for twelve years, will represent Witton's club charity alongside the Royal British Legion's local Chairman Marshall Hunter.

The matchday celebrations will also see cadets collecting on behalf of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, which this year celebrates 90 years of fundraising. Local schoolchildren have also been invited along to enjoy the action at the Help For Heroes Stadium.

Gunter, who is also a Royal British Legion case worker, said: "It is a tremendous gesture from the club and one which will certainly be fully appreciated by both charities. Witton Albion is a first class community club with a very good record for backing the services. I’m sure the supporters will be fully behind the decision to forgo the civic reception to help such a good cause."

Witton Albion Chairman Harris said: "A civic reception would have been much appreciated but the Councils feel sure this will be a memorable day for all concerned. We're very happy that everybody at the club can celebrate together rather than only a few people being able to attend and that by doing this we can also support our armed forces and their families."

Council Leader Jones revealed that the Council had readily agreed to the club’s suggestion as it fitted in perfectly with the authority’s decision to sign the Cheshire Community Covenant. CWAC, together with Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington Councils, recently pledged to back organisations, military and civilian, attempting to help Britain’s servicemen and women.

Councillor Jones, himself a former TA officer, added: "Witton Albion can be proud of their promotion and prouder still of the way they have chosen to celebrate that achievement."