Honouring North End legends

20 Feb 2019 09:56
Published by: Kian French

THEY were legendary teammates at Preston North End. Now the names of Bill Shankly and Sir Tom Finney are linked again in the work to bring football to more people in the city.

The new £15million Shankly Hotel in Preston, due to open in June, has confirmed it is sponsoring the city-based community football charity, the Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre (STFPSC).

The deal was negotiated following discussions between Bill’s grandson Christopher Carline and centre founder Peter Mason. It will see the Shankly Hotel Preston sponsor and support the centre in the development of grass roots community football across Preston.

The STFPSC was set up as a non-profit making community soccer project to provide high quality FA charter standard football and coaching for able bodied and disabled children and adults.

The project was the brainchild of Peter - a former police chief superintendent - and his wife Kathleen Mason, who in 2015 was recognised for her work with the centre as the FA/McDonalds ‘Volunteer Of The Year’.

Peter said: “It is a great accolade for the charity that a new business in Preston, one that carries the name of a football legend, has seen fit to sponsor us. The Shankly name obviously compliments Sir Tom Finney very well, given their long-standing friendship, mutual respect and admiration for each other’s sporting achievements as footballers and icons of the game.”

Brian Finney, son of Sir Tom and trustee of STFPSC, said: “My father and Bill Shankly represented a bygone era of football that was established on mutual trust, respect and admiration for each other as players.

“Most importantly they were gentleman and statesmen of the beautiful game. “Football can be a power for good, one that bonds people through camaraderie and sportsmanship regardless of ability or disability. I look forward to this partnership growing to the benefit of ‘football for all.”

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