Easington United AFC are the first East Riding FA Charter Standard Club of the month for 2021!

The East Riding FA Charter Standard Club of the Month Award recognises clubs in our county who are going above and beyond to create fun, safe and inclusive environment for people to play and enjoy football.

Formed as ‘Easington Football & Cricket Club’ in 1947, the club were first referred to as ‘United’ from the start with a nickname of 'The Eastenders' being adopted due to their location in 'the East End of Holderness'. The Club spent its formative years in the now-defunct South Holderness League before joining the East Riding County League in 1954. Four years later the club came into its own when it split from the cricket section to form Easington United AFC.

Fast forward 63 years and the club now boasts four adult male teams which compromises of a First team, Reserve side, Academy team and a Veterans side. Ran by dedicated group of volunteers ‘The Eastenders’ are a club that continues to evolve so that it continues to be at the heart of the community.

This season the club entered into a unique partnership with local charity Hull4Heroes which saw the charities logo displayed on the clubs new 70th anniversary shirt. With the area forming a strong bond with the military and a number of armed service personal representing the club since its inception the club thought it appropriate to throw their support behind a charity that supports ex-military service people who are in need of help and support. The club have further strengthened their bond with Hull4Heroes by making a donation from the sales of replica shirts whilst also donating the proceeds from any sponsored activity the club participates in over the course of the season.

Easington United have also taken steps to safeguard the future of the club by collaborating with neighbours Patrington AFC. With the club keen to supplement its playing squad and ensure that young people in the area have a pathway to adult football the club reached out to Patrington AFC to ask if the clubs U16 side would like to come under the banner of Easington United. Indeed, the Patrington side were due to fold due to a decrease in player availability. Uniquely the partnership between the two club’s see’s the Academy side continue to play out of Patrington with the newly formed Academy side retaining the Patrington club colours. Not only has this link up helped create a stepping stone for young players into the Easington first team but the club have also forged closer ties with businesses and sponsors in the local area as a result. The collaboration also means that there continues to be a football presence in Patrington.

Its not only on the pitch where Easington are continuing to develop. Recently the club took delivery of a brand-new stand which will seat nearly 50 supporters. The pause in football caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic has also seen the club take to social media to celebrate its past with a number of posts dedicated to the clubs rich history.

When asked what the future holds for the club committee member Richard Lusmore said; “Short-term we are desperate to get the senior squad promoted back up to the Premier Division of the Humber Premier League. We've had a fair few barren years of late since the heady days of the Nineties & Noughties and we need to be competing with the best teams around again. Similarly, though, we also need to close the gap between our two County League squads and the first team, in order to help movement of players between them.”

When asked about off field developments Richard Lusmore said; “We would love to develop Low Farm to a standard worthy of football at a higher level than the Humber Premier League. Membership of the Central Midlands League and some of the grounds we played at therein gave us a real taste of what football could be like just that rung or two higher up the ladder

With Easington United being awarded the first East Riding FA Charter Standard Club of the month award for 2021 Richard Lusmore added; “It is a tremendous honour to be named the East Riding's Charter Standard Club of the Month and the award is testament to the hard work put in by a dedicated band of volunteers who have always sought to put Easington United at the heart of the local community. As we approach our 75th anniversary, such recognition has given everybody at the club a lift at a time when we could all do with one."

If your club has done something outstanding and deserves recognising, then please click here to make your nomination for Februarys East Riding FA Charter Standard Club of the Month. Award.