England legend and former Reading player Fara Williams paid a surprise visit to Laurel Park FC as part of M&S Food’s Eat Well, Play Well campaign.
Since the summer that saw England win the Euro, Laurel Park has been running ‘Lionesses Legacy’ sessions to offer girls who have been inspired by the Lionesses the chance to play football for the first time for free in a fun and pressure free environment.
Williams returned to Reading, where she most recently played professional football before retiring in 2021, to witness the Lionesses Legacy programme in action, and see first-hand how girls have been inspired to take up football after the Lionesses were crowned European Champions.
Williams, who was capped a record 172 times by England, was making the appearance on behalf of M&S Food’s Eat Well, Play Well campaign, which is run in partnership with The FA and uses the power of football to help families make healthier eating choices.
Fara Williams commented: “The grassroots is where every footballer’s love of the game starts so it was brilliant to return to Reading with M&S and see first-hand how the Lionesses are inspiring the next generation to take up the game. It was really interesting speaking to the young players and hearing how the Euros had made them want to play football for the first time.”
“I’m so proud to be supporting the M&S Eat Well, Play Well campaign which is turn is helping kids and their families make healthier choices. Nutrition is so important in football, because if you don’t eat well, you can’t play well.”
For more information about the Eat Well, Play Well campaign and the competition, go to marksandspencer.com/football.
