Great Yarmouth Town Football Club's special shirt donation

James Bowdley, 11 and from Coventry, comes to the Norfolk resort with his family about five times a year and says it is his favourite place to be.

Among his favourite locations is the home of Great Yarmouth Town Football, the Wellesley, and although he is yet to see a game there it is high on his wish list for 2024 to see the Bloaters take to its pitch.

James Bowdley with his Bloaters top (Image: Sherrie Hambleton)

So when James' mother, Sherrie Hambleton, contacted the club to say she was finding it hard to buy him a Bloaters top as a Christmas present, the community-minded club leapt into action.

The club sent a full kit as a present and is arranging for him and his family to visit on a match day, where he will be a mascot and meet the first team.

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Club chairman Martyn Sinclair: "It's nice to put a smile on the lad's face. His family love Yarmouth and love coming here. 

The Bloaters at the Wellesley (Image: Martin Baxter)

"It's nice to spread a bit of happiness. It's what we do as a community club."

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In an email to the club, James' mother said: "James was extremely excited when he received the kit and when we explained that he had been invited to be a mascot for the day he found it difficult to contain his excitement.

James Bowdley with his Bloaters top with his name on (Image: Sherrie Bowdley)

"He has told all of his family and friends and talks about it every day now."

The donation follows the news that the Bloaters announced the creation of the Great Yarmouth Town Community Interest Company (CIC), providing help to those most in need to further extend its community-minded ethos.

It has already helped with a stocking gifts appeal this Christmas to help families in need.

The home of Great Yarmouth Town FC, The Wellesley, dates back to 1888 (Image: Danielle Booden)