Affectionately known as ‘Chaddy Park’ in local circles, our grassroots club of the year for 2019 picked up the award following their work in their community and providing pan-disability football for youngsters.
As well as running teams right from U5s through to adults, veterans and walking football for both male and female, the club also run disability and mental health sessions while aiming to leave players with the club’s values, groundings and beliefs.
And they’re also visible in the local community, often providing food, drink and shelter for homeless people in the Oldham area.
"We're a club for all, we believe in not turning any children away,” says chairman Terry Jenning.
"There's lots of clubs out there who believe in trial systems and we're not one of them clubs.
"We're all volunteers, so from one of the grandmas making a brew, to the coaches on the pitch, to the helpers, it's essential and part of the running of the club.”
With a strong reputation for their teams already in place, it was their move into disability football which helped land them the award after initially forming a Cerebral Palsy team before forming a pan-disability set-up.
"One thing that was always missing was children with disabilities were never able to play football locally or even throughout the county,” said club secretary Craig Simpson.
"So we decided to set up some form of disability football, so if you want to get involved and play football, you could come along.
"We've gone on from that and set up a mental health session so people are playing football with people with similar conditions.”
Committee member Stephen Corless added: "The children have just grown in confidence, they've now got friends, they're coming out of their shell.
"What we do as a club, it's not just about the club it's about the wider community.”
NOMINATE NOW FOR THE GRASSROOTS AWARDS 2020
