Snazzy new kits for budding Hemel Town Youth hot-shots

The Hemel Hempstead Youth U12s receive their new kit from McDonalds franchisee Alan Butchers

The Apsley restaurant has donated kit to the team as part of the new McDonald’s & FA Charter Standard Kit Scheme.

Hemel Hempstead Town Youth FC is one of the first clubs to benefit from the new community programme which, run in partnership with The FA and official kit supplier Nike, enables all 4,600 FA Charter Standard clubs with a junior team in England the chance to order a new strip every year for the next four seasons.

The scheme has the potential to provide 150,000 kits in England and aims to help raise the standards of grassroots football for young aspiring footballers.

To mark the occasion the club held an event at their ground, where McDonald’s franchisee and community football supporter Alan Butchers personally delivered the kit to the team.

Mr Butchers, who owns and operates the McDonald’s restaurant in Apsley, said: “Grassroots football clubs such as Hemel Hempstead Town Youth FC are vital for communities, as they provide young people with the opportunity to get involved in football and feel part of a team.

“Clubs give up countless hours in order to provide high quality football opportunities to members of the local community.

“It’s important that businesses like McDonald’s support them and help to create the best possible experience for young aspiring footballers.”

Brian Harding, from Hemel Hempstead Town Youth FC, added: “We’re hugely grateful to McDonald’s for donating a new kit for our U12 team.

“An average team strip costs around £500 per season, so this really is a huge saving for us and means we can spend the money on other areas of the club that need it.

“The kids are all really excited about wearing their new strip. It’s already helped to create a sense of unity and team spirit and I’m sure this will go a long way towards helping us to have a successful season.”