Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest, met with the Football Foundation at their grassroots football event in Parliament where he signed a pledge to support the beautiful game from the bottom up alongside England legend Stuart Pearce.
Recognising the mental and physical health benefits for grassroots sport, the community cohesion clubs provide and also the pride of place thriving teams bring, Dr Hudson reaffirmed his support for grassroots football and the Football Foundation that supports them through investment.
In Epping Forest there are 27,700 grassroots players according to the Football Association. 14,291 of those are adult males, 4,552 are female adults, 5,494 are boys and 3,363 are girls.
The FA also estimates that in Epping Forest there is a £25.8 million social return on investment - including NHS savings.
However, the funding uplift provided under Rishi Sunak's Conservative Government is due to finish in 2025 and Labour have not committed to matching the Government monies that were a shot in the arm for the grassroots game (see here for more details).
An avid fan, Neil has already been out to Myrak Park this season to support Buckhurst Hill FC in the Essex Senior Football League and will be holding the new Labour Government to account so they keep funding grassroots football.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest, said:
"Grassroots football is part of the glue that binds our communities together. From keeping people mentally and physically health to teaching young people valuable life lessons, they provide immense social value right across Epping Forest.
"As such, it was a pleasure to join the Football Foundation and reaffirm my support for the beautiful game. The Football Foundation does an amazing amount of good up and down the country, from supporting underrepresented communities into the game to helping those with Alzheimer's through walking football initiatives, but the funding we Conservatives provided is due to finish in 2025. As such, I will be urging the new Labour administration to match our funding and help the game that we love thrive."
