Hi friends, family and local businesses, Simon Matharu here. I have run a park football team in Sandwell and Birmingham for 19 years called Edith FC. The “club” was established in 1975 after my late grandad bought a house on Edith Road two years earlier. We took on rival teams in Smethwick and across Birmingham and were known as the "Brazilians" of Smethwick. Initially sustained by family, neighbours and players around the Sandwell area, the team has evolved through the generations and we now have a squad that has competed well against league teams week in week out for many years. It is time to take Edith FC to the next level by joining a league which starts on Sunday 4th October.

The target is to raise £2,500 to put a very gifted set of players where they belong – on a league pitch. In its own way, Edith FC's policy of encouraging park players to join in has helped scores of youngsters to take up the sport, develop skills, keep off the streets, plus learn about teamwork and discipline. These core values will be kept but taken to a higher level.

The money be will used on kits, training gear, league and pitch fees, trials, promotions, medical insurance, Football Association (FA) affiliation, registration, entering cup competitions and weekly & monthly running costs of the club.

Having welcomed onboard Bullion Store.co.uk/Friends Jewellers, we are looking for further sponsorship from a local business or investor - in return an investing business will get advertising and marketing in the community via shirt logos and social media throughout Birmingham for the whole season. The aim is to get your business also appearing in local newspapers and media. So if you have a business of your own, please contact me on 07581-468162 if you are interested.

Please help Edith FC write the next chapter in its 45-year history by donating whatever you can. We hope you can help us continue our journey.

Please also follow us on our new instagram page @officialedithfc https://www.instagram.com/officialedithfc/