Local Footie Heroes

By Rhia Chohan

Evington FC celebrated last month after winning the 2007/08 Leicester City Football League.

The local lads trained weekly and fought their way to the top of Division One, beating teams such as South Wigston Wanderers and Netherhall Rangers.

The club's manager Dan Loyal hopes to take the team to the senior league. “To win was amazing. Once we hit the top we never came down. The boys have played at a superb standard to get to the senior league.” He plans to prepare them with extra training sessions.

The side of over-eighteens had lost only two games and were presented with the Ron Barston trophy for maintaining the best defensive record.

Evington FC is funded only through local sponsors and fundraising events. Manager Dan added that not enough of football at a grass-roots level and up was being focused on.

Two of the club's best players, Ricky Gill and Johnny Loyal, were chosen for the Leicester representative side and played against the National Prison Service team. “They should have been picked up a long time ago,” added Dan.

The players received their trophies at a presentation evening on 17 May at the Coach and Horses in Evington.

So for those of you still frowning over the Foxes' recent relegation, there is still hope for Leicester football!