PLAYERS, officials and coaches from Sherborne St John FC are celebrating after the club was awarded the Charter Standard.

The Charter Standard is a Football Association scheme awarded to clubs that follow best practice guidelines and offer high standards of coaching, administration and child protection.

It took officials several years to get everything needed done but Perry Champion, the chairman, says the hard work was worthwhile as the Charter Standard could help the club get grants and enter competitions, while it also entitles them to discounts on certain equipment.

“We are really pleased to have done this and hopefully the club will go from strength to strength with the benefits it gives us,” Champion said. “We have fantastic facilities and a good pitch but it has taken us a few years to get to this standard.

“Heather Livingstone, who has just retired as our secretary, has had the goal of getting us Charter Standard for a long time. It has been a lot of hard work and she has spent a lot of time, in the evenings and at weekends, in meetings with the FA.

“It means a lot because it puts us up there with other clubs in the area. We are a family club that just wants kids to enjoy their football. It’s not all about winning.”