Young footballers have received a £500 grant to buy new kit and training equipment.

Meden Vale Colts FC are among the recipients of the Central Co-op’s Community Dividend Fund, which has awarded £31,980 to 21 charities and good causes.

Adam Elce, chairman and founder of the club, said: “The Co-op community fund has been a vital source of funding for us because we only formed in 2019 and were immediately impacted by the pandemic.

“The funds helped us to continue to offer opportunities for the children of our community to return to playing after the lockdown, through the purchase of portable floodlights that assisted in training during the winter evenings last year, and with the provision of qualified coaches.

“As we have entered a cost-of- living crisis we have kept our costs affordable to families and so look elsewhere for the extra funds needed to support the running of the club.

“Local businesses have found it difficult during these times too, so sponsorship is maybe less accessible than prior to the pandemic; so again, finding opportunities like these to support our income flow is essential in our success as a football club.

“Through this fund and others we have thrived, progressing in the three and a half years we have been formed to 33 active teams and over 400 registered players. We could not have done this without the Co-op community support fund.”

As part of the fund, eligible groups can apply for between £100 to £5,000 to support projects. Details on the Community Dividend Fund can be found on the Central Co-op website — www.centralengland.coop/community.