FORMER Lionesses legend Karen Carney went back to her roots at Solihull Moors to see for herself how the promotion-chasing club are progressing on and off the pitch and to back a National Lottery campaign supporting non-league football.
The 34-year-old won 144 caps for England during a glittering career, which also took in Champions League success and spells at Birmingham, Arsenal and Chelsea but it was at Moor Green that her remarkable football journey began and where she developed her love for the game.
Carney, grew up a stones throw from The Moorlands, the home of the club who merged with Solihull Borough in 2007 to form Solihull Moors. She also made the move, going to games with her family and working as a volunteer at the newly formed club. She continues to take a close interest in their fortunes despite a busy role as a pundit, which she combines with studying for an MBA.
The Moors were one of over 230 non-league and domestic clubs across the UK who shared £12.5 million of emergency National Lottery funding at the height of the Covid pandemic when clubs, reliant on matchday revenue, faced an uncertain future.
Now, two years from when they were forced to close their doors during the pandemic, the National League club are thriving and enjoying a 12-game unbeaten run that leaves them on course for a place in the play-offs and a shot of promotion to League Two.
And fans can take advantage of a ‘buy one get one free’ National Lottery ticket offer for tomorrow’s home game against Maidenhead United.
As part of her visit, Carney took part in a project run by the Solihull Moors Foundation, which supports local students with a range of learning needs, equipping them with skills and confidence to enter the workplace once they leave school. Many of them, like she once did, also work in volunteer roles for the club.
Carney said: “It was great to be back here and where it all really began for me really. I’ve got such fond memories of being here as a young girl both playing and watching football – it’s a club that is very close to my heart and this is what football is all about to me.
“I hope people will give take advantage of the ticket offer come down on Saturday to support the Moors. It’s scary to think what might have been lost if clubs hadn’t survived the pandemic and that’s why the support from The National Lottery was so important.
“It’s not just about the football. These clubs are so vital to their local communities and to see the difference the foundation is making to young people’s lives was inspiring.”
Solihull Moors Chairman, Darryl Eales added: “It was great to welcome Karen back to club and for her to see the great work the foundation does.
“We are a community club at heart and the National Lottery funding enabled us to continue our valuable community work and keep the football club going.”
The National Lottery Football Weekends campaign will make over 100,000 tickets available on a ‘Buy One Get One Free’ basis for National Lottery players for selected matches (including Solihull Moors v Maidenhead this Saturday) as a ‘thank you’ for over £12.5million of funding they helped provide to community football clubs during the Covid pandemic.
To find out more visit www.thenationallotteryfootballweekends.co.uk
