A generous businessman has donated 150 Nottingham Forest Women FC season tickets to Ashfield schools.

Craig Gould, director of Make Consulting, Annesley, said he had been inspired by the the success of England’s Lionesses winning the UEFA European Championship and wanted to promote women’s football.

Each primary school in Ashfield and Eastwood has been offered two adult and two children season tickets, and each secondary school has been offered four adult and four children tickets.

Craig said: “This will allow our student population the opportunity to go and watch the Nottingham Forest Women’s team, help raise the profile of women’s football in the county, and encourage our girls at grass roots level to get involved and have an interest in the sport — as well as the boys.”

Craig then worked with Ashfield MP Lee Anderson to visit schools on a whistlestop tour of Ashfield, delivering the tickets with Lee, Nottingham Forest midfielder Naomi Powell, and Nottingham Forest coach Andy Cook.

Lee said: “I have been working with Craig for a number of weeks on this project because we want to make sure that young people in Ashfield and Eastwood get the chance to watch these fantastic ladies, especially after the success of the England women’s football team this summer.

The principal at Skegby Junior Academy, one of the schools to receive tickets, is Pauline Marples. She said: “We are grateful to Craig and Lee for this amazing donation of season tickets.

“Following the European Championships we have seen an increase in our pupils’ interest in the sport. It is fantastic that these tickets will foster this enjoyment further and inspire them to get involved in the game.

“Sport is a great way to keep healthy, support wellbeing, learn skills in teamwork and leadership, and importantly get outside and enjoy time with peers.

“It is also great to see all genders playing together in the playground and who knows, we might have the next Lioness among us!”
Skegby Junior is rotating its tickets among pupils to give as many youngsters as possible a chance to watch a match..