Shooters Youth Football Club stands in full solidarity with everyone at Andover Town Youth Football Club (ATYFC) following the devastating news that their club has been the victim of a significant fraud, resulting in the loss of more than £30,000 of essential grassroots funding.

As a fellow volunteer‑run youth club, we understand how much work, trust, and community spirit goes into keeping children playing the game they love. To see a neighbouring club suffer such a serious breach of that trust is deeply upsetting, and our thoughts are with every coach, volunteer, parent, and young player affected.

This is not just a financial crisis, it is an emotional one for a club that has always worked hard for its community.

The Power of the Grassroots Community

It has been heartening to see local organisations including ASC (Charlton Astro), Knights Enham, and John Hanson schools step forward to help ATYFC keep football going in January. This is exactly what grassroots football represents: unity, generosity, and community strength in tough moments.

ATYFC have launched a JustGiving page to help stabilise the club and support volunteers who have personally covered costs to keep children playing:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/andovertownyouthfc

Our club has made a small donation, if you are in a position to support them yourselves please do so, to help in other ways just sharing the story and link within our wider community and supporters of grassroots sports can make a real difference.

To everyone at Andover Town Youth FC:

You are not alone.
Your fellow clubs stand with you.
Your resilience and determination show the true heart of grassroots football.

From all of us at Shooters Youth FC, we send our support, solidarity, and respect. We look forward to seeing your teams back on their feet and continuing the brilliant work you do for young people in our area.