Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston MP visited Peterborough United Football Club (PUFC) today where he was welcomed by Shailesh Vara MP, Director Bob Symns and Chief Executive David Paton.

The Minister was fulfilling a promise to visit the club which he made in November 2020 when Mr Vara held a debate in Parliament to highlight the difficulties PUFC were experiencing by the restrictions during the pandemic. At the time, no fans were allowed to visit the Weston Homes Stadium to see live matches which was having a significant effect on the club's finances.

During the debate, Mr Vara urged the Minister to allow a limited number of fans to visit the stadium on match days as the club had made very thorough plans to ensure that people remained safe while watching matches.

On his visit to the stadium, which is in Mr Vara’s constituency of North West Cambridgeshire., Mr Huddleston was given a presentation on matters concerning the club, including the very important work carried out by the Peterborough United Foundation. The Foundation provides a training and development centre, outreach programs, disability coaching programmes, support for an adult amputee team and much more.

Mr Huddleston also had a tour of some of the club's facilities and met with some of the people involved with the club's work including Director of the Peterborough Foundation Gill Wignall, Academy Manager Kieran Scarff and General Manager of the Ladies Team Bobby Copping.

Following the visit Mr Vara said:-

“I am very grateful to the Minister for keeping his promise to visit the club and taking time out of his very busy schedule. 

“This was an important visit and a great opportunity to talk to the Minister about the club and football in general. I was especially pleased that the Minister was able to see first hand the fantastic work being done by the club to support the local community in a variety of ways.”

Photo: CEO David Paton, Minister Nigel Huddleston MP, Shailesh Vara MP and Director Bob Symns