Cardinal Continue To Support Wythenshawe AFC

Core to Cardinal is a sense of community. Whether it’s the connections we make internationally, or the impact we have locally, we’re conscious of the impact we have on others.

Needless to say, Wythenshawe, our head office, is special to us. The schools, council and community groups are all huge sources of inspiration, and we always look for ways to support them. One such group being Wythenshawe AFC.

Founded in 1946, Wythenshawe AFC has a long history of working with young people in the area. Cardinal have been proud supporters for years, and here Managing Director Craig Poole explains why.

Proud residents of Wythenshawe

Football brings people together, and in areas like this, that sense of community is essential. I grew up here and so I am especially proud of the support that Cardinal provides for groups like Wythenshawe AFC.

Their work to get kids of different backgrounds into sport makes such a big difference. Football helps with social development, teaches teamwork and gives kids a sense of achievement. And it’s popular!

The group manage 60 junior teams in the area, organising countless games and training sessions for local kids. They have over 1000 players and a clubhouse that’s in use 6 days of the week. It’s a beacon of something better, and the opportunity for us to work together was too good to pass up.

Committed to community

In 2020, Covid put a stop to the work that Wythenshawe AFC do. It hurt their finances and prevented them from providing sessions to the local community. While pandemics don’t happen every year, the virus did highlight the precarious nature some of these third-sector organisations exist in.

They rely on funding, and that’s why it’s of such importance that companies like ours donate not just in the short term but for the long haul as well.

Without ongoing support, football teams like Wythenshawe AFC would struggle. That’s why we encourage all our partners, employees and clients to check out the work these guys do and support wherever possible.

Making the game more accessible

Since September 2022 the club’s goal has been to grow the girl’s team. Having already created a pathway from the boy’s team to semi-professional men’s, the aim is to do the same for women and girls in the local area.

The support Wythenshawe Amateurs receives from Cardinal helps achieve this. Our donations help provide equipment and subsidise the costs for kids.

Already Wythenshawe AFC have seen their female squads almost triple in size, expanding from just 4 teams to 10. The more accessible the game, the greater impact it has on the area. And I’m hugely proud that we’re able to contribute to that cause.

How you can help

If you’re interested in supporting Wythenshawe AFC, you can find out more about their work here. Alternatively, if you’ve got a cause you think would be suit the Cardinal Trust, then please get in touch with a member of the team.