Sponsored by local Healthplan provider HSA, Lions in the Community offers an extensive programme of football coaching in primary, secondary and special schools throughout the Andover area, enabling children to practice and develop their skills in a fun environment.

Meet the Lions in the Community Team here

Why not treat your child to the Lion’s Birthday Package. More information here

Multi Sports Day at the Depot - Friday 30th January 2009.

The second Multi-Sports Day of 2008/09 saw even more children enjoy a fun-packed, if a little cold, day! Sixty five children from Mark Way,  Wolverdene, Norman Gate, John Hanson and Icknield Schools arrived, keen to take part in a wide range of sports. More

North Partnership and Andover District Girls Football Competition Finals

Four U16 girls' teams from Harrow Way, John Hanson, Winton and Clere schools came together on Wednesday 28th February for the last of the  Girls' football tournaments. More

Andover FCs School of the Week Initiative Gathers Momentum

Following on from the success of their recent "School of the Week" launch at Anton Junior School which culminated in a bumper crowd at the weekend home fixture, Andover FC and coaching staff from the Lions in the Community Team last weekend welcomed another huge crowd of over 300 to the Portway Stadium for the home tie against Gosport Borough. The weekend's special guests were staff, pupils and their families from the town's largest primary, Portway Junior School and the attendance did not disappoint. Three of the school's pupils had the honour of being team mascots for the day and together with the club's Lenny the Lion, led the teams out on to the pitch for the game.

Half time saw two highly contested penalty shoot out competitions take place, presided over by Lions Community coaches Gary Kew and Danny Sullivan, with injured First Team Keeper Dave Hook presenting the trophies to the ultimate winners, Jamie Griggs and Cerys Cousins. There was also a lucky ticket prize draw for all attendees from the school with a signed football up for grabs for the winner.

Andover FC's under 10's Manager, John Cosham presented Tim Deery, Head Teacher at Portway Junior School, with a full kit no longer required by his squad which the school are delighted to be able to make good use of.

Cathy Devereux, Director of Football in the Community at Andover FC claims that initiatives such as the "School of the Week" campaign are helping to build affinity between the local community and its home town club. She was delighted by the success of the afternoon: "It was wonderful to welcome so many new faces along to the ground on Saturday and we hope that many of them will return to support their local team in weeks to come. The atmosphere was terrific, the game highly contested, yet played in excellent spirit! My thanks also to the Matchday officials and the players, management and supporters of Gosport Borough F.C who all contributed to making it such an enjoyable and entertaining afternoon for the supporters, despite the result not quite going the way we wanted!!"

Young Lions Take Pride in Community Scheme - Tuesday 20 Jan 2009

Over the forthcoming months Andover FC's Lions in the Community sponsored Under 18 squad will be joining forces with Cathy Devereux and her coaching team to help deliver the busy Community coaching programme throughout the Andover area. The lads will be helping out with a variety of sessions including Saturday morning mini soccer for 4-6 year olds as well as various school tournaments and primary school soccer festivals. Alex Campbell, team captain, is already actively involved in the community scheme and has recently joined the Lions in the Community coaching team during their "School of the Week" visits to both Anton and Portway Junior Schools.

Cathy is delighted with the response of Manager Danny Mulberry and his team to the new initiative. "This is a great opportunity to get our talented senior youth players involved in the coaching and encouragement of younger players in the town both in our primary schools and even pre-schools. I see them as great role models for all our younger boys and girls as many of them have played their way through the youth system from as young as Under 8 or 9 and some are now knocking on the door of their home town's First Team."

As Director of the Lions in the Community coaching programme Cathy is also keen to encourage some of the team to take their initial FA Coaching qualification and join the Community coaching team. "Due to the generous support of our main sponsor, local healthcare provider HSA, we have been able to expand our programme of community work considerably over the past 18 months and to consequently encourage and support the training of some local players onto the coaching staff. I see it as key to the future of football in the town that we continue to forge close links between the club, the Community team and our local schools and there is no better way to do this than through initiatives such as this one" she said.

Andover FC's School of the Week..... Portway Junior School - Tuesday 13 Jan 2009

Following on from the success of their recent "School of the Week" launch at Anton Junior School which culminated in a bumper crowd at the weekend home fixture, players and coaches from Andover FC and the Lions in the Community programme have spent the past week delivering football fun into Portway Junior School. More

Andover FC February Soccer School

Andover FC are running a Soccer School during the half term holidays from the 16th - 18th February. For more information and an application form please click here

Saturday Soccer Club - Wednesday 23 Oct 08

From the 8th November, by popular request,  are going to start running a Saturday Soccer Club for 4 - 7 year olds. More details here.

The Lion Cubs Are Born

Lions in the Community have launched a new programme for local schools which has been named "Lion Cubs". More

Come and Join One of our Youth Teams

Kids! Fancy playing for Andover FC? Then why not join one of our Youth teams? More details here

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The Lions in the Community Team


Cathy Devereux

Cathy is the Director of Andover FC' s Football  in the Community programme "Lions in the Community" and is the main point of contact for schools for any enquiries relating to coaching requirements, football fun days, soccer schools etc. Cathy also actively coaches in schools and holds an  FA Level 2 Coaching Certificate


Tom Bird

Lions in the Community coach Tom Bird is a keen footballer and is currently playing for Fleet Town following a spell at Chelsea's   Youth Academy after impressing the coaching staff during his appearance on Sky's Football Icon. Tom currently holds a Level 2 coaching certificate and is now working towards FA Level 3. He  has been actively coaching on the programme for the past year. Tom has great footballing skill which, coupled with his infectious enthusiasm for the game, makes him a popular figure in our local schools.


Dean Stow

Lions in the Community coach  Dean Stow is a keen footballer and influential midfielder in Andover FC' s current squad. Dean was top goalscorer for the club last season and enjoys passing on his skills and knowledge to our local schoolchildren who we hope will aspire to play for their home town club one day! Dean holds an FA Level 1 certificate and is currently working towards his FA Level 2 award.


Gary Kew

Gary is an FA qualified Level 1 Coach who actively coaches football, cricket, hockey, rugby and numerous other sports! A former Reading Football in the Community coach Gary is a full time PE coach at Wolverdene School in Andover


Danny Sullivan

Danny is the current Andover New Street under 8’s Manager and coach and has responsibility for a squad of 22. A keen footballer and former Andover FC striker Danny is currently working towards his FA coaching certification


Ade Skeates

Ade is an experienced children’s football coach and is also the current  Andover FC Under 13s Manager which involves both weekly coaching sessions and match play in the local youth leagues as well as cup competitions. Ade has an FA Level 1 coaching certificate and has almost completed his Level 2 award. 


Chris Plummer

Chris is an experienced children’s football coach and is also the current  Andover F.C  Under 11’s Manager which involves both weekly coaching sessions and match play in the local youth leagues. Chris has an FA Level 1 coaching certificate and is also working towards attaining his Level 2 award.


Darren Whettleton

Darren holds an FA Level 1 football coaching certificate and Community Sports Leader Award. He is currently working towards his Level 2 football qualification. A keen footballer, Darren has played at semi-professional level for several years and is currently coaching both the Alderbury Under 10s team in the South Wilts Badger League as well as a local men's team playing in the Wessex league.


Paul O'Riordan

Paul has enjoyed playing football across the globe, throughout Europe and as far afield as the USA, Canada and Australia. As a schoolboy he represented Hampshire and has also played for local teams including Andover FC, Whitchurch United and Andover New Street. Coming now to the end of his playing career Paul holds an FA Level 1 coaching certificate and is currently working towards his Level 2. Paul also holds a Community Sports Leader Award and a National Lifeguard bronze medallion.