On Saturday 16th December, Heanor Town FC and Heanor Town Juniors FC were presented with the FA Charter Standard Community Club Award by Liam Rooney, Football Development Officer for Derbyshire County Football Association.

Between them they currently have 18 teams, ranging from mini-soccer to adult football. The clubs are proud to provide sporting opportunities for both juniors and open age within the local community.

Heanor Town FC and Heanor Town Juniors FC are immensely proud of this achievement and will now join an elite group of 23 FA Charter Standard Community Clubs across Derbyshire to be presented with this prestigious award.

Derbyshire County FA Football Development Officer, Liam Rooney said, “I would like to congratulate everyone at Heanor Town FC and Heanor Town Juniors FC on achieving the FA Charter Standard Community Club Award. Derbyshire County FA have worked closely with the club and this award is in recognition of all the time and effort put in by all the volunteers ensuring the club continues to grow every year.

“A special mention and thank you to Glen Clarence, Ben Hadfield and James Dereus for putting the application form and development plan together. It is a great achievement to gain this award as this is the pinnacle of the FA Charter Standard Club Scheme.” 

Ben Hadfield, Head of Junior Development, Heanor Town FC said, “The whole club is very proud to have achieved this award as being part of our community is one of our key values which is demonstrated through our work with local schools, plus weekend and holiday clubs, as well as our ever expanding junior section, which provides football for boys and girls aged from 3-16 years old. 

“We would like to thank Liam and the Derbyshire County FA for helping us achieve this prestigious award and we look forward to building on this in the future through various community projects and initiatives. The whole club brought into us gaining this award and being part of our one club strategy is a real privilege to be involved with. I would personally like to thank the club and its owners for giving football a platform in our community and to our community for its continued support and long may that continue.”

Liam presented the club with a FA Charter Standard Community Club plaque as well as a framed certificate.

FA Charter Standard Community Clubs

The FA Community Club scheme builds upon the foundations of the Charter Standard scheme in placing clubs at the heart of their community.

Community Clubs, the pinnacle of the club development pathway, will be those that have a high quality, multi-team (minimum of 10 teams) set up with excellent social, training and playing opportunities for all. As such, the number of Community Clubs is one of the truest measures of success for The FA Football Development strategy. 

All new FA Community Clubs are required to meet FA criteria, ensuring they provide opportunities for players irrespective of age, gender, religion and ability. Clubs must also provide FA Level 1 & 2 qualified coaches, first aiders and child protection officers.

Becoming an FA Charter Standard Community Club should be the ultimate goal for hundreds of clubs at grassroots level and Derbyshire County FA will help you to achieve that goal!

The FA Charter Standard Club Scheme is a national initiative that recognises football clubs for their best practice, provision and delivery of grassroots football. It looks at the administration of clubs and the qualification of their coaches. It also promotes links with local schools and, as you work through the awards, looks at the development of more teams and girls sections and development plans detailing clubs aspirations and sustainability for the future. 

Derbyshire County FA currently has 165 clubs which have achieved FA Charter Standard status. 

In a three tiered system the FA Charter Standard Club Scheme categories are as follows: 

FA Charter Standard Club Award 
FA Charter Standard Development Club Award 
FA Charter Standard Community Club Award 

There is also a FA Charter Standard Award for Adult Only Clubs. 

If your club would like to receive further information on the FA Charter Standard Club Scheme, please contact Liam Rooney, Football Development Officer, on 01332 361422 or via email liam.rooney@derbyshirefa.com.