The FA launched this new initiative in Manchester on 19th December 2002 to continue the promotion and support of grassroots football, by positioning local clubs at the heart of the community.

The FA's Community Clubs initiative is aimed at developing the structure and quality of clubs - in partnership with The FA's Community Partner McDonalds - building on the foundations of The FA Charter Standard Clubs Scheme.

The first one hundred clubs to achieve Community Club status were unveiled in December, with four clubs from Manchester invited to a flagship FA presentation. The clubs received their awards from Sir Geoff Hurst and Eric Harrison, Football Ambassadors for The FA's Community Partner McDonalds and FA National Game Director Steve Parkin in front of a large gathering of parents, volunteers and the local media.

Emphasising the importance of the initiative, Steve Parkin said: "FA Community Clubs are the cornerstones of The FA National Game strategy. Achieving FA Community Club status will not be easy, but can be achieved by clubs who are committed to putting themselves at the heart of their local football communities, not only for existing participants but for future generations too."



Hessle Rangers were formed in February 1976. Their first game took place on a snow covered field in Hessle, and in the early stages due to business commitments it was the secretaries wife Janet who was the driving force.

That was the start. The team joined the Hull Boys Sunday Football League the following September at Under 13 level. In 2001 the club celebrated it's 25th anniversary and during that time the club has expanded and can proudly boast that they now have a team in most divisions of the boys leagues, from Under 9 to Under 18.

In the season 1985/86 the club expanded into men's football both on a Saturday and Sunday; the club now has three men's teams playing in the Hull Sunday Football League, and one on a Saturday in the East Riding Amateur League.

The A team have steadily progressed up the leagues from Div 17, as Champions on three occasions, plus in 1999/2000 season were Premier League Champions at the third attempt and for the last two seasons have entered the FA Umbro National Cup.

The club also has a number of qualified FA coaches and has a girls section, with teams playing in the U12, and U14 East Riding Girls League.

Equally impressive, the club have a rather expensive member of their alumi, with recent Southampton midfield acquisition and England Under-21 regular David Prutton having started his playing career at Hessle.



The Community Club Award provides clubs with a kite-mark to promote their work in football development, enabling them to promote their provision of a safe and quality environment for all interested participants.

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 qualified coaches, first aiders and child protection officers.

The 700 FA Charter Standard Clubs have, in the last 12 months been able to also utilise The FA's new kite mark to their advantage in attracting grants and funding for development and facilities.

Although gaining Community Club status cannot guarantee funding from the Football Foundation for facility improvement, gaining the kite-mark has already been a significant factor in assisting clubs funding applications by providing evidence of a commitment to providing a sporting facility for use by the entire community.

For more information on how to become an FA Charter Standard Community Club in East Riding, please e-mail: Jonathan.Day@eastridingfa.com  

For more info on Hessle Rangers, log on to: www.hesslerangers.co.uk