Trailblazing Burnley grassroots football club Fulledge Colts will mark 30th anniversary with trophy in memory of much missed coach

2025 marks 30 years since Fulledge Colts was launched by founders Brian Fuller and current club president Dave Holmes on Fulledge Rec back in 1995. It is now an organisation boasting 50 teams and a trailblazer for children’s grassroots football.

Next summer will see around 2,000 children take part in the club’s annual tournament. And one of the trophies that teams will be competing for is close to the hearts of everyone involved with Fulledge Colts. For it has been named in memory of coach Simon Collinge who died in July after a short battle with a brain tumour. A much loved coach, friend and amazing representative of the club and grassroots football, Simon started with the peewees section with school reception and year one children starting out on their grassroots football journey. From this was the creation of his team that he went on to lovingly coach at U7’s and later under 12 Blues.

A spokesman for Fulledge Colts committee said: “The club was devastated at the loss of Simon and our thoughts have constantly been with his wife Kelly and three boys, Dylan, Declan and Lewis. The U12 Blues have been resilient in their journey despite their huge loss and this season, wear a kit in memory of Simon.”

The club has also brought on board a mental health partner, Six Connections, with the slogan Powered By Mates. Launched 20 years ago Six Connections aims to encourage open conversations about mental health and provides support for individuals and organisation and teams, regardless of circumstances.

The Fulledge Colts spokesman added: “ Six Connections are the sponsor of a special commemorative kit in honour of Simon and the #poweredbymates slogan is on all our U7 team’s kits as well as one of our U14 kits.

“ Mental health is so important and we wanted to ensure that our club has access to the support needed if required. Using the Powered by Mates brand, which advocates mental health support, there is no better slogan to represent how this team have rallied around each other. “

As a return gesture Six Connections is putting two club members through their course to give them the tools and skills to educate and support the players and coaches in supporting others that may be going through difficult and challenging times.