Local Under-8s receive new strip at Kenilworth Road
Hatters stars Danny Hylton, Jordan Cook and Alan Sheehan were at Kenilworth Road yesterday to hand over new kit to budding stars of tomorrow as part of EFL sponsors Wickes’ commitment to local grass-roots football.
Toddington Rovers Under-8s were the lucky winners of a ‘Kits For Kids’ competition run by the league in conjunction with each of the 72 member clubs’ local Wickes stores and Mitre.
The youngsters received a brand new Mitre strip from Jordan Benton, the manager of Wickes in Luton, plus two Hyperseam footballs, 15 bibs and agility and speed sets for training, one coach’s bench jacket and 16 tickets to come back to Kenilworth Road to watch the boys in action.
The three Town players posed for pictures and signed autographs for the youngsters in the Eric Morecambe Lounge before heading down to the home dressing room, where their new kit was hung up waiting for them to wear before going out onto the pitch.
Father-of-three Hylton said: “It was great to see the excitement on the kids’ faces when they saw the kit hanging up. My eldest boy is six and he loves going to his football sessions, so I know what it means so much to them to have quality gear to use in training and clubs are always having to raise funds or ask parents to pay for it, so this scheme is a great idea.”
Sheehan added: “Every footballer loves to look the part and the kids certainly did once they’d got their new kit on. Seeing them going home in it takes you back to when you first start playing football and you just live in your kit. They probably won’t take it off all holiday!”
Toddington Rovers play in the Milton Keynes Development League and despite being a fan of our rivals Watford, coach Luke Mitchell was delighted to be able to bring his boys and girls to the home of football!
“It’s a brilliant initiative that Wickes have organised with the EFL and most of our kids support Luton, so they couldn’t wait to get here,” said Luke. “Their game has developed so much this season as they start to understand football more, and coming to a big stadium like this will hopefully inspire them.
“They loved meeting the players and experiencing what they go through on a matchday, getting changed in the dressing room and walking down the tunnel onto the pitch. We’d like to thank the players for giving up their time after training, and also the club for making us so welcome.
“The equipment and balls will certainly come in handy on training nights and I can’t wait to see them wearing the kit in a game now. They’ll be the smartest team in the league!”