A feast of football is in store when the Suffolk FA Love Football, Live Football Week returns for a second year next month, writes Nick Garnham.

Taking place from October 14th-22nd, the week will entail a number of events to celebrate football within Suffolk.

Suffolk FA Senior Football Development Officer Michael Cornall said: “We are extremely excited about the return of Love Football, Live Football Week.

“Last year we had a number of events ranging from Walking Football to featuring on the pitch at half-time of the Ipswich Town versus Burton Albion game.

“It was fantastic to see how much the Suffolk Football Community got behind the week and really embraced this celebration of Football within the county.”

Sponsored by Beccles-based MH Goals Ltd, the 2017 Love Football, Live Football Week is set to feature over 40 events taking place across the nine days culminating with the Ipswich Town versus Norwich City derby match on Sunday, October 22nd.

As well as many events re-emerging for the week such as Futsal, Walking Football and our girls’ better player pathway sessions, there will also be new events taking place to celebrate grassroots football.

Michael said: “In regards to new events we will be providing boot banks across the county for players to donate their old boots to Boots2Africa which is a worthy cause.

“We are also running a Licensed Coaches Club Continuous Personal Development (CPD) event with a theme of the new foundation phase DNA which will be delivered by our FA Skills Team.

“In addition, we are working on a project which will bring together Sporting Memories Suffolk, Suffolk Archives and our Walking Footballers to provide a place to share some of the sporting history in the county.

“Further details of this will be announced in due course.”

Throughout the week, Suffolk FA staff will be visiting a number of local games and events to promote Love Football, Live Football Week across the county.

The Instagram boards which proved to be highly popular last year will once again be showcased at various fixtures and events.

The week will start with Under-7s festivals and CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup second-round fixtures on the Saturday.

Throughout the week there will be Walking Football sessions across the county as well as the start of the winter Monday Night Football season in Ipswich.

Sessions will be taking place in Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Ipswich and Lowestoft for the SSE Wildcats which provide the first step into football for girls aged 5-11 years old in a safe and inclusive environment.

Michael continued: “The Suffolk Football Community really embraced the week last year and as we look to make things even bigger and better they will continue to feature heavily in our plans for this season’s key events.”

Across the week, Suffolk FA’s various social media highlights will be using the hashtasg #lovefootballlivefootball and anyone involved in Suffolk football will be encouraged to use this to celebrate grassroots football within the county.

“I would encourage as many clubs, leagues, volunteers, coaches and players to get involved and highlight why they Love Football, Live Football!,” added Michael.

MH Goals Ltd Managing Director Mark Harrod said: “We’re delighted to once again be sponsoring Suffolk FA’s Love Football, Live Football Week. Last year’s event was a great success and really showcased grassroots football in Suffolk.

“This year Love Football, Live Football Week is set to be even bigger and MH Goals be will also be running special offers and competitions throughout the week in support of this fantastic event.”

If you would like any more information on Love Football, Live Football Week or how you can get involved then please contact Suffolk FA Mini-Soccer and Youth Football Development Officer Jodie Allard on 01449 776311 or email jodie.allard@suffolkfa.com or Suffolk FA Marketing & Communications Officer Nick Garnham on 01449 776310 or email nick.garnham@suffolkfa.com