Former Eccleshall player Alistair White, whose dad Andy is on the Eccleshall club committee, recently made a trip to Zambia with his university as part of his course. Alistair had signed for Bacup Borough this season as he was based in Preston with his studies. He came back to Pershall Park at the last home game and, after the match, explained about his trip and asked if the club had any kit that wasn’t being used any more which he could take with him on his journey. Having disbanded the second team earlier in the season, this kit was available.
Alistair takes up the story:
“I went to Zambia with my uni (University of Central Lancashire) as part of an annual trip to the country. We work with an organisation called Sport in Action, who aim to improve people’s lives through sport and physical activity. Our job whilst there was to go into three schools over three weeks, teaching them important lessons about sexual health, gender equality, AIDS and HIV and more educating them to improve their living standards, quality of life and personal health despite the poverty they face”.
“Before we flew out there, I wanted to take as many donations as possible, so that I could leave the people of Kabwe (the main town we stayed in) something that would not only help them, but also leave something to mark my visit to thank all the amazing people for welcoming us”.
“I was fortunate to receive many donations for the trip, one of which was from Eccleshall Football Club. The club kindly donated a full adult 17 outfield kits and two goalkeeper kits for me to take out there. I was so thankful for their generosity so, whilst I was out there, I tried to find a local team which I was fortunate enough to do. In the picture, on my left is player / coach called James, then on my right is Terrance who is a player for the team. I spoke to them both and it turned out that they had a tournament the week after I left in the Zambian capital, Livingstone. Because of Eccleshall FC’s kindness, they are now able to play in a kit that they were so very thankful to receive. It really did make a massive difference to them”.
Eccleshall secretary, Jim Tunney, said: “Alistair came down to our last home game and mentioned his trip which was coming up shortly. When he asked about spare kit, we were happy to help such a good cause and let him have the second team strip which was no longer being used. It is nice to know that such a team will get the benefit of it and that the Eccleshall badge will now be seen at the other side of the world!”