East Berkshire League nominated for Football in Berkshire Award: Individual Event of the Season

PICTURE: Over 500 spectators turned out at the Arbour Park Stadium for the February Showcase Match, the 'Battle of Bracknell' between Bracknell Aces and F.C Bracknell including young mascots from both teams. All photos by Neil Graham Photography.

The East Berkshire Football League has been nominated for a Berkshire Football Award in the category of Individual Event of the Season, sponsored by Cap ’n’ Chino.

The nomination is for our Showcase Match events, which continue to go from strength to strength with more than 500 spectators watching the ‘Battle of Bracknell’ between Bracknell Aces and F.C Bracknell in February.

A statement on the Football in Berkshire website (www.footballinberkshire.co.uk) read: “The competition has been organising ‘Showcase’ Friday night matches for its clubs for several seasons under the lights, first at Burnham F.C and this season at Slough Town’s Arbour Park.

“The games have proved a huge success, drawing big crowds to what are Step Seven games.”

The nominee told Football in Berkshire: “The event was a huge success. It was played at Slough Town, which had a huge attendance.

“The E.B.F.L did wonders on hosting this game against F.C Bracknell, including hospitality planning, volunteers and so on.

PICTURE: The Bracknell Aces team with their young mascots.

“More Non-Leagues should definitely look at running events like this as it helps both the clubs and the league to grow stronger, plus more opportunities to have people play at a Step 2 football ground in front of big crowds like that.

“I believe it was only Maidenhead United and Reading F.C that weekend that had larger crowds in Berkshire.”

Robert Stevens is General Secretary at the EBFL. He said: “I’m incredibly humbled and grateful that the League has been nominated for this prestigious award.

“The idea of the Showcase Match event started with John Brennan, and has been built on by the League Committee over the past three seasons.

“The success of these events is down to our partners; Slough Town F.C, Burnham F.C, MentionSocials and AM Print & Copy to name just a few, and to the incredible work our member clubs put in to advertise the games and promote ticket sales.

PICTURE: Over 500 spectators turned out to watch the Battle of Bracknell Showcasee Match at the Arbour Park Stadium in Slough in February

“The Showcase Match is a unique opportunity for grassroots teams to play inside a tremendous Non-League stadium as well as generate much-needed finances for their Club through ticket sales, and so we are all extremely thankful for the support the public and football fans continues to give.

“We are now regularly playing Showcase games in front over crowds well over 300 people, and the recent Battle in Bracknell drew almost 550 people to the Arbour Park Stadium: we’re breaking records event after event!”

“Once again, thank you for the nomination, and to the team at Football in Berkshire for organising the awards: good luck to everyone that receives a nomination this season.”