A FOOTBALL club hosted a successful business networking event.

More than 40 companies based in Essex attended the Aspen Waite Arena in Heybridge for the Heybridge Swifts’ event on Friday.

New club CEO Paul Webster outlined ambitious new plans to upgrade the clubhouse there, with the aim of attracting more fans and sponsors of the club who, in reaching the league plays off plus the FA Cup first round proper, have just had one of their best ever seasons.

Mr Webster also announced that the club will continue to grow significantly its community initiatives with a good deal more contact with local schools and colleges.

Crowds at the club this season are 80 per cent up on the previous year with so many new young fans being responsible for a good deal of this growth.

Chairman Gary White also gave an update to the guests on the progress made over the past two years since he was appointed, and praised the excellent work of all the volunteers at the club, plus the thriving junior club which now boasts 17 sides for all ages under vice chairman Steve Spreadbury’s leadership.

Mr White said: “The Swifts are now a club really going places and are becoming very much more a centre for the local community, giving young people the opportunity to really enjoy their football and be the best they possibly can.”

Networking events will be hosted on the last Friday of each month with the next one scheduled for May 25 from 7.30 am.

To reserve a place, email nikki@heybridgeswiftsfc.com.