Fletcher Moss Rangers speak up for the grass roots clubs

20 April 2016 01:23

Grassroots outfit Fletcher Moss Rangers have called for a 'national conversation' over how clubs such as themselves can find funding for long-term sustainability.

Didsbury-based Fletcher Moss have hit the headlines in recent months following the success of one of their old boys, Marcus Rashford, after breaking into the Manchester United first team. The club also count the likes of Danny Welbeck, Wes Brown and Ravel Morrison among their past juniors.

But Fletcher Moss are in urgent need of funding to guarantee their survival, with an estimated £2million needed to renovate run-down faciltities.

Officials from the club have said they would welcome help from some of the professional sides who have benefited from the work of Fletcher Moss, but are keen to stress this does not amount to a demand.

Funding is being sought from a variety of sources and on Tuesday the club made a "fact-finding" visit to Wallsend Boys Club - the organisation famed for discovering stars such as Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and Michael Carrick - to share ideas on how like-minded clubs can plot a way forward.

A statement from Fletcher Moss read: "Both clubs, in healthy conversation, talked about their methods of developing young players in a community environment.

"The hard facts are that both clubs are operating on limited resources and, indeed, both clubs discussed the general football support structure and whether, working with appropriate bodies, it could be improved in order for clubs like Fletcher Moss Rangers and Wallsend Boys Club to survive into the future.

"It is important to say that both clubs are working hard with appropriate funding bodies and supporting agencies to create their own path to sustainability. However, both clubs are certainly in agreement that they would welcome a 'national conversation' with the 'football family' in relation to how best can the football system support the sustainability of grassroots football clubs."

Source: PA