Soccer legend Giles puts best foot forward at Lees Road

Leeds United and Republic of Ireland soccer legend John Giles was in Clare on Saturday to announce details of a fundraising event for local clubs, schools and community groups next month.
Hundreds of people from throughout the county will participate in the second annual John Giles Foundation Walk of Dreams, which will begin and finish at the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park in Ennis on May 7. The 5km sponsored walk will take place simultaneously in 20 locations across Ireland, including Limerick City and Galway.
As well as raising funds for the Foundation, the walk also will raise funds for soccer clubs that participate.
Half of all the money raised will go directly to the fundraising clubs and organisations, while the remaining funds will be subject to a grant application process, with money being distributed to sporting and community projects that achieve the aims of the Foundation.
More than 600 people participated in the inaugural Clare Walk of Dreams at Lees Road in 2011, resulting in thousands of euro being raised for local clubs, schools and community groups. A further three Clare soccer clubs benefited from the funding application process, namely Mountshannon Celtic (€300), Shannon Town (€1,000) and Tulla FC (€5,000).
John Giles said the purpose of the upcoming fundraiser is to facilitate positive social change by using the power of football to build community cohesion, promote health and encourage lifelong participation and learning.
Speaking at Lees Road, the RTÉ soccer pundit stated, “I grew up, like many of us did, playing on the street. We were just having fun and had never heard of professional football. I never dreamt of where it would take me, or realised what a difference the sport was making to our community. Today, it’s a different story, with different rules and now more than ever people at risk need our support.”
Event co-ordinator and former Clare and District Soccer League chairman, Jim Madden, said he was confident this year’s walk would attract even greater numbers of people than the inaugural event in 2011.
“Over 600 people from Clare’s 35 schoolboys and junior clubs came out to support last year’s walk. In fact, the family day out was one of the best attended of all the Walk of Dreams events taking place throughout Ireland.
Mr Madden noted that the 2012 walk would once again raise funds for club and community soccer projects throughout Clare. “The aim of the walk is to help raise funds to develop the facilities and services that soccer clubs can offer their community as well as contributing to other important local initiatives. Clubs, schools and community groups that sign up to the Walk of Dreams will receive a fundraising pack, with 50 per cent of all monies raised going to the local club and 50 per cent to the John Giles Foundation to be reinvested in the local community.
Commenting ahead of the walk, Tim Forde of Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park said, “We are delighted to be able to support this event, especially considering the funds raised will be going back into the grassroots of club football and community projects involving the game.”
Applications for 2012 funding will be open from Monday, July 2 to Friday, August 31. The Foundation’s website, including details of the Walk of Dreams at the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park, can be accessed via www.johngilesfoundation.com.
While in Ennis on Saturday, the former Irish captain and manager joined the Leeds United Supporters club for their Mike McNamara memorial golf classic at Ennis, an event that raised funds for local charities.